Let Me Tell You A Story
A coaching assignment I had early in my leadership consulting career, was working with a leader at a nuclear plant. At one of our first meetings, the leader said to me, “the initial tools you’ve provided are good and I will use them, but the ‘coaching part’ of this system is crap! {censored}. This coaching is a complete waste of time and money and I don’t want anything to do with it.”
I Was Glad To Hear It
I appreciated his honesty with me and the fact that he let me know that he didn’t agree with needing a coach. I could have been frustrated for months know understanding why he was not more engaged. So, even though it was hard to hear, I was glad to hear it.
What You May Not Know
Unless you are working in or know someone who is working in the nuclear industry, nuclear plants are scrutinized almost constantly. Many have dealt with consultants and training for years to help them to be more effective and safer. And, of course, that is a good thing but it is also tough for the people who work there.
Nuclear plants have seen consultants, trainers, and coaches come and go through the years. They have seen every ‘flavor of the day’ and this leader was simply fed up with it.
Can We Come To An Agreement?
After thanking the leader, I asked if he could appreciate that I have been “hired” to be his coach and that because of that, I was expected to regularly meet with him. I asked for his permission. Could we;
- Continue with our meetings
- Share the information and tools I am sharing with the other leaders I am working with
- But, not expect him to do anything with the information I share
His Benefit
I went on to share that my goal will be to ensure he benefits in a way that;
- He is not caught off guard when participating in team and staff meetings
- He is in-the-know about and able to have meaningful conversations with other leaders at the plant
- No further expectations
He agreed that this was a reasonable arrangement and that he is willing to try it.
What Did We Do?
We continued to meet and I shared information and tools. Then, something happened. This leader ended up doing just about everything that we talked about.
Why? This leader was released from “having to do the work” but instead choosing to lead in a way that worked for him. I would describe him as one of the most successful leaders I have ever worked with.
Let Them Choose
Instead of ‘telling’ leaders what they should do, present information for them to choose for themselves what they should do. Because you can’t “make a leader do anything”.
Can You Relate?
What do you think of today’s blog and video? Can you relate? Share your stories.