Becoming A Leader

As a leader the first thing you need to realize is…YOU are responsible for everything that happens! The good, and the bad…

The question becomes: As a leader which role are you going to take? What type of environment and culture do you want for your team? Whatever you create will become an engrained part of the team.

Operating with-in the “Coach-Approach” you must become a mentor to your team members by taking an active part in their career and lives. You must bond on a personal and emotional level and provide them with an insight which can elevate their careers to the next level. Your role is to make them better than they would be without you!

In return the team member becomes more productive and balanced, and the relationship you create will breed loyalty back to you as the team leader. They begin to realize that under your tutelage their potential is unlimited!

As you create a team atmosphere with this style of leadership others will notice and be attracted by the unique environment which nurtures and allows them to blossom.

How you coach each individual on your team will depend greatly on who you are coaching. The stronger your relationship and the more you know about the team member, personally, the better equipped you will be to customize a one-on-one plan to help them grow their business.

The Five Keys to Effective Coaching are:

1)    Patience – you will find once is never enough in coaching …you will need to have the same conversations multiple times before it “sinks-in”

2)    Become a credible and an incredible resource – You must be a wealth of information …help them fill the gaps and they will not be able to imagine their careers without you

3)    Confidence – In your abilities as a leader, and theirs as a team member

4)    Flexibility – There is no “one size fits all” in coaching … Tailor your guidance to each team members strengths and/or weaknesses

5)    Create Balance - Help your team members to have a life … but first, as a leader, you too must have balance …you want to be an inspiration …without an example, you can’t lead.

Ultimately it is far more rewarding and gratifying to feel you are part of a winning team, and that your efforts contributed to the success of the entire team.

The more you grow …The more others around you will also grow. The results are better relationships, and enjoyment from your career….and a better life!

It’s up to you ….what type of leader do you want to become?

Eddie Brown ©2011

www.ICU-Coaching.com