I DIDN’T GET TO WHERE I AM TODAY BY LISTENING TO PEOPLE
These were the famous and nearly last words to me from a previous boss.
Her face was hot with irritation that I should suggest that coaching was for anyone other than LOSERS! That working out your next steps towards a longed for goal with the help of another person was for anyone other than the terminally weak.
I have often thought about her words and her angry response. I recognise that for many, the act of asking for help can in and of itself be a sign of defeat and weakness. Somehow, we should be able to cope with all that life throws at us by ourselves without any intervention. Unless we get ill of course, and then a trained professional can sort us out.
This is not my experience.
Getting help, working things out with others, rehearsing difficult conversations, deciding on a plan of action is an informed act of taking responsibility for oneself, and by extension, for the organisation you happen to be working in.
I have worked as a coach with many successful people – CEOs of FTSE 100 companies, NHS leaders, chairs of charities. They have all recognised that success requires support, that finding someone to work alongside them who brings both skilled support and challenge can revolutionise their performance and their job satisfaction.
In our research on the workplace of tomorrow, what many leaders told us was that to really future proof their organisation, they would need to connect the people who worked for them to their own passion and purpose. To do this requires deep listening – being able to see and sense what lies beneath the surface as well as what is obvious and self-evident.
There are two ways to do this:
• Find someone skilled to listen to you
• Develop your capacity to really listen to others
We can help with both through our Coaching with Head, Heart and Soul programme. Find out more.
Glyn Fussell
Coaching training with Oasis School of Human Relations
If you or your organisation are looking to build a coaching culture, where people listen, understand and respect each other’s views and opinions, Oasis can help you with this. Please Contact Us or email info@oasishumanrelations.org.uk for more information.