Want to level up how you’re coaching your team? Here’s how…
I recently launched a long-term coaching program with a leader. Toward the end of our first 1:1 coaching session, he stopped me and told me this:
“I don’t think anyone has ever understood me that well, and we’ve only talked for less than an hour!”
You may be wondering…HOW is that even POSSIBLE?
As a leader, and as a leadership coach, I’ve seen firsthand the value and importance of making your team feel heard and understood.
It’s not just a mark of a good coach but of a good leader. Leaders who want to inspire the best version of their employees will make LISTENING to them a priority.
And I want to tell you something: it IS possible to make your team feel heard and understood and supported in the same way that I did for my client that day.
Here’s what I did (and what you can do too!):
1.) Listen for the BELIEFS and VALUES under the ACTIONS and BEHAVIORS.
2.) Listen for the INTENT/INTENTIONS behind the ACTIONS and BEHAVIORS.
3.) Listen for SPARKS of INSPIRATION.
4.) Listen for TRIGGERS and areas of CONFLICT.
5.) DON’T interrupt, unless there is a pause and you want to ask a clarifying question.
6.) After LISTENING WELL, share what you THOUGHT YOU HEARD (summarize, paraphrase, restate what was said to you).
7.) Check in, ASK the person if you heard and understood them correctly.
This is a game-changer for any relationship and especially for relationships between leaders and their teams.
It’s a way to build trust quickly and create a culture of collaboration and support. If you want to find out more and level up how you’re coaching, schedule a call with us!