Are you looking for ways to elevate your team’s performance and cultivate a thriving work culture? Maybe you’ve dabbled in developing your team with mentoring, training, or casual coffee chats. You’ve heard the term ‘coaching’ being bandied around, but you’re unsure about the true essence of what coaching means. 

There’s an important distinction between coaching, mentoring and training. And that distinction just might become the superpower of peak performance in your business. 

While mentoring offers insights based on personal experiences, and training equips individuals with specific skills, coaching delves deeper. It’s about unearthing internal barriers, challenging limiting beliefs, and igniting self-awareness.

Coaching isn’t about ticking off tasks or sharing personal anecdotes over a latte. It’s a unique approach that involves asking thought-provoking questions, facilitating self-discovery, which in turn empowers individuals to unlock their full potential.

Imagine the impact of such transformation. According to the International Coach Federation, 80% of coached individuals report increased self-confidence. Now, envision your team members thriving with boosted confidence levels. Not only that, but over 70% also experience improvements in work performance, relationships, and communication skills. These aren’t just numbers; they’re tangible outcomes that can revolutionise your business.

We hear a lot of hesitancy from leaders and business owners that they don’t have enough time to coach their team. But this is a myth. It doesn’t always have to be lengthy, formal conversations. It’s about carving out moments for meaningful conversations, where open-ended questions pave the way for profound insights and growth. You can also consider outsourcing aspects of your coaching to a professional coach, just like you would to a trainer. 

❓Are you truly nurturing a coaching culture within your business? Look for signs like genuine openness to feedback, team members being invested in their (and seeking out) development, and your people get value from coaching conversations.

❓How do you integrate coaching into your everyday interactions? The simple way to start is by flipping the script. Instead of rushing to provide answers (which feels quicker in the moment), ask open ended questions. This will prompt reflection and self-discovery. 

All you have to do is, in your next conversation with a team member, pause before offering advice. Instead, lean into curiosity and ask an open-ended question. It can be that easy.

❓What’s the worst that can happen if you challenge yourself to incorporate these coaching principles into your leadership style? 

Remember, coaching isn’t just about solving immediate problems; it’s about instigating lasting change.

Cultivating a coaching culture within your business, not only nurtures individual growth it also builds a resilient, high-performing team positioned for success.

If you want to look at outsourcing your coaching, Ness and I work with business owners, leaders and teams to do just that. Let’s chat!