In my over 25 years of experience coaching leaders, here are the traits I have found most helpful for individuals to embrace if they want to both make rapid progress and achieve long-lasting transformation. 

OPEN-MINDEDNESS

Leadership growth is about expanding your field of view. Leaders who approach the development work thinking they already have all the answers don’t allow room for any new insights or shifts to come through. They can also have more challenges in handling situations that are outside their perception.

I was once interviewed by a bright general counsel for a coaching engagement. When I explained that coaching was about building greater self-awareness, he said he already had self-awareness and wouldn’t need to work on that. I told him that self-awareness is not a static moment in time but an ongoing state of openness so that your awareness can continue to grow with you.

He decided to move forward with the coaching and was delighted as the process helped him learn new things and realize how they applied to him and his impact on others. As a coach, it tickles me to see clients open up to new insights that had not occurred to them before!

CURIOSITY ABOUT ONESELF

Curiosity is what helps us dig deeper and connect the unseen dots in any given situation.

Much like in the book by John Zabat-Zinn, “Wherever You Go, There You Are,” leadership coaching requires the willingness to notice which unproductive patterns are following you wherever you go and the courage to explore what’s behind them and how they affect your results.

Likewise, developing as a leader calls for expanding your awareness of your strengths and how you use them. Even in this area, there is always something new to learn if you are open to it. In leadership coaching, we go beyond the strengths you are already aware of and look at:

• Strengths you don’t know you have
• Strengths you overuse to the point they are becoming a challenge rather than an asset
• Strengths you don’t use because your role is not designed around them (and how to adjust it so that it is)
• Strengths you display in your personal life but don’t think or feel you can adopt in the workplace.  

This kind of curious exploration expands what’s possible for you and increases the impact and energy of your leadership.

THE INTENTIONALITY OF WATCHING ONESELF IN REAL TIME

This is where the rubber meets the road. I always ask my clients to do this so they can catch themselves when they are getting in their own way.

Once open-mindedness and curiosity have made us more aware of our patterns, we have a choice in how we respond to situations. We can stop reacting and become more intentional about which behaviors to continue and which ones to leave behind. With practice, we get better at it.

For example, I am naturally very fast with my thoughts and responses, so I try to stay aware of that and ask myself: “is your speed going to help the situation and people around you?” The answer is often, no. In fact, it is annoying for others. So, I force myself to slow down and let others have a word or share a thought. I am always pleased when I can self-correct in real time! I learned this early in my coaching years and it lives with me every day.

THE LONGEVITY OF COACHING

Leadership coaching can help you expand your open-mindedness, curiosity, and ability to “watch yourself in real time.” The work you do will serve you beyond your current leadership role, paying dividends for the rest of your career. What’s more, the growth you get by staying open and curious about yourself will often support you not only at work but in every aspect of your life.

Curious about how coaching can expand what’s possible for you as a leader and beyond? Let’s talk.