In today’s VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) work culture, how are the best leaders inspiring innovation, engagement, ownership and learning? According to a Forbes 2020 article (“A Coaching Culture is No Longer A Choice, It’s a Necessity”), the best leaders are embracing a learning mindset that encourages continual exploration and discovery for themselves and their teams. They understand the new reality: leaders can no longer know or provide all the answers and must encourage the collective wisdom, learning and collaboration of their teams to solve their most pressing problems. The outcomes are often surprising and unexpected, resulting in significantly elevated employee engagement, as well as heightened sales, profitability and market share.

One of the most common responses to the question of coaching is “we don’t have time for this!” And the truth is…we can either choose to “pay” for it now or later.

Those seeking to maximize performance and value for their work today understand that coaching is a vital tool for continual improvement, helping to ensure points of distinction for the systems, services and products they provide. Just as elite athletes, world-class performers and professional sports teams use coaching to elevate and enhance performance - and sustain a competitive edge – today’s business leaders can effectively refine their craft and favorably impact the bottom line.

In a 2017 Ted Talk, Atul Gawande MD explains the value of coaching for healthcare practitioners generally, and surgeons like himself specifically. Despite many years as a very successful surgeon, he identifies the dangers and pitfalls of trying to do it on your own without engaging an objective third party source who can reveal unmet opportunities for growth, while - in this case - holding the surgeon, Dr. Gawande, accountable for doing the work needed to improve performance and enhance patient outcomes.

Dr. Gawande contends that it’s constant improvement and focus on how you’re “going to be” in the future that sets winners apart and ensures leadership.

Want to learn more about how you can enhance outcomes and distinguish performance? Drop me a note at laura@bydesigncoachingcenter.com and we will set up a complimentary deep dive so you understand exactly how coaching and/or training would benefit you.