In this new hybrid world in which we all live, one of the most difficult challenges we have is to navigate the changes that are unwanted yet now unavoidable. As coaches, we know that what got us “here” will not get us “there.” And leaders are challenged in the same way.
Leaders look to their coaches for answers, and to be a resource for others, we must educate ourselves. Our education must be continual, or we risk becoming irrelevant in a VUCA (Volatile/Uncertain/ Complex/Ambiguous) world. Our relevance lies in our ability to find answers. As a coach, you can learn from others to help your leader.
In 2021, the McLean Institute of Coaching (IOC) completed and published a research project on the future of leadership and coaching. As a fellow of the IOC, I had the honor of being part of the research team and writing the report.
This report is remarkable in its depth, universality, and usefulness to coaches. Our leaders were from around the world, and we coded their responses to interviews in a qualitative data method.
Qualitative data is about the emotions or perceptions of people and what they feel. The conclusions are drawn from this broad pool and offer insights and suggestions for the coach’s role for the leader.
The report, titled Leading with Humanity: The Future of Leadership and Coaching, is free to download on the IOC site (instituteofcoaching.org/ioc-report-leading-with-humanity-the-future-of-leadership-coaching). I urge you to read it.
You do not need to make up the next steps from your own experience but can utilize sound research to help your client realize their challenge is the universal challenge of all leaders at this time.
I have shared the entire report with my clients, which is well laid out, and you or your client can read sections without reading the whole document.
It has created a focused, straightforward way for me to discuss my clients’ unique challenges with them. There are critical themes identified that you will immediately recognize as relevant to your client.
May this resource give you insight and ideas to continue as your client’s trusted coach.
Tags: education, experience, hybrid world, leaders, Leadership
