Great leaders are sometimes measured by how deeply they have impacted the lives of others, and the ability to coach those around them is a common characteristic.
What is coaching? It is really just a tool for effective communication between a leader and those they lead. It helps build a mutual understanding of goals, alignment of expectations, the sharing of knowledge as it is needed and more adaptive and reactive teams.
Coaching is a key skill set leaders can leverage to initiate and maintain important connections with those they lead — whether formally or informally. It involves instructing, directing and prompting behaviors and specific actions directed toward attaining a goal, such as demonstrating, reinforcing, motivating and providing feedback.
Being a true coach requires an ongoing commitment aimed at helping another improve and sustain their performance.
Healthcare is experiencing a generational shift among its workforce, and younger generations have different beliefs and expectations about work than those currently retiring. Recruiting, hiring and terminations will continue to be expensive, especially for clinical and care-giving roles. This means that today's leaders must make investments in retaining those with potential.
A few of the most important, but sometimes overlooked components of great coaching include:
- Role modeling behavior, observing performance and providing specific timely and respectful feedback directed toward improvement
- Motivating and providing opportunities for others to practice and refine their performance
- Building rapport and trust
- Listening empathetically without judgment, offering support and recognizing when you need to refer others for professional assistance with personal issues
- Being willing to fully execute as a coach, responding to requests and keeping commitments that help build the oh-so-important trust
- Identifying barriers impeding improved performance
- Confronting conflict and difficult situations by having the conversations that are needed
Take some time and think about the coaches in your own career. What did they do that impacted your life? What did they do specifically to help you improve and sustain your performance?
Coaching is a key component of teamwork, and that is why I often think about my favorite football team each time I hear the word. Healthcare leaders have an opportunity and the imperative to learn from the great coaches — both within and outside our industry — and improve their own competencies.
