Leadership isn’t a job, it’s a way of Being. A way of being in service to others. This approach focuses on creating an environment in which individuals and teams can thrive and get their highest-impact work done.
In his book The Culture Engine S. Chris Edmonds describes servant leadership as a person’s dedication to helping others be their best selves at home, at work, and in their community. Edmonds reminds us that…
"Anyone can serve-and lead-from any position or role in a family, workplace, or community”.
Where and how does a leader demonstrate their dedication to others?
Co-authors Tom Rath and Barry Conchie in their bestselling book, Strengths Based Leadership, explore the four specific emotional requirements people need to experience with their leaders in order to feel engaged and connected to the organisation and their day to day work. These are:
Trust – a leader’s word is their promise. Integrity, honesty, and respect are the by-products of solid relationship built on trust.
Compassion – a leader genuinely cares for their team as they would their own family.
Stability – a leader can be counted on in times of need and inspires a feeling of psychological safety.
Hope – a leader communicates hope in the future by having a clear direction in mind.
How do coaching skills support these four essential requirements?
Trust – a coach cultivates trust and safety by respecting the coachee’s unique talents and insights. They show respect and invite a response to their contributions, accepting the coachee’s response.
Compassion – a coach demonstrates genuine empathy and acknowledges the expressions of feelings, perceptions, concerns, beliefs, and suggestions.
Stability – a coach focuses on fully listening to the coachee and is skilled in demonstrating presence and acceptance of challenging situations, acknowledging the disruption, and staying in the moment to support the coachee.
Hope – a coach listens, asks, and facilitates coachee growth by exploring new ways of working with insights in relation to the situation and themselves. A coaches partners with the coachee on how to move forward, create solutions, and be accountable for their actions and behaviours.
If you are you a leader who would like to inspire connection, collaboration and engagement by demonstrating the above essential elements to create a thriving, self-aware and self-directed workplace, join us for the Coach Approach to Leadership 10-hour course that will provide you with the foundational skills of coaching.
Contact me at anna@nzicoaching.co.nz where we can support you to bring your best to your leadership.