As leaders, we are often hard-wired to fix problems and put out fires. While this approach “gets things done” and solves problems quickly, we may be missing the opportunity to motivate and empower team members to develop new ideas and implement solutions. We move quickly to fight that fire… after all this is what made us known as a high-performer in the first place!
Architects, on the other hand, understand that the quality of our lives is significantly informed and influenced by our environment. Architect leaders create the physical and social conditions that inspire their employees to grow and develop – and adopting an architects approach to leadership allows you to expand your leadership experience, focus on more strategic work and heighten your own development in the role.
Many leaders who want to differentiate themselves and enhance their contribution to the organization enlist a coach. A coach will help them achieve their potential and make their mark on an organization’s success. Coaching is an investment in leaders – and this return on investment shows up through an increase in leader confidence to coach and develop their team, stronger employee engagement, a heightened ability to allow their team to “fail safely” and increased retention and development of a clearer team vision.
Coach practitioners who have “walked in your shoes” – people who have led their own high-performing teams and businesses – have first-hand experience with the challenges of leading organizational growth and change. They provide an objective perspective, can identify and help you see your “blind spots” and provide ways to stretch you out of your current leadership ways and into a new style that will increase your effectiveness to motivate and inspire your team.
At Stratford, we help individuals and organizations realize a return on their investment through our coaching and advisory services. Leaders regularly rely on their coach for:
What is one thing you want to shift or change in the next 6-9 months that would have the biggest benefit for you and your team? Do you want to explore this? Do you want to become more of an architect and less of a firefighter? Please reach out to michelle.schafer@stratford.group to start the conversation!
This article was published more than 1 year ago. Some information may no longer be current.