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Be more of a coach and less of a boss!
Being a good coach isn’t always easy – you need to be both supportive and directive at the appropriate times, and it’s never about being a soft touch! TLC has nothing to do with tender, loving care in my book – for me, it’s all about tough love & coaching!
- It’s your job to motivate people, don’t force them.
- Ask for their opinion, don’t make unilateral decisions.
- Admit your mistakes, don’t insult their intelligence by implying you’re perfect.
- Be accessible, don’t protect your privacy all the time.
- Be a good listener, don’t just talk the talk.
- Ask good questions, don’t aim to have all the answers.
- Welcome complaints, don’t stifle their gripes.
- Coach 1:1, don’t lecture the masses.
- Watch your language and ‘KISS’, don’t use complicated lingo.
- Celebrate their differences, don’t coach for conformity.
- Just get started, don’t worry about starting it right.
- Role-model the art of resourcefulness, don’t teach them how to rescue.
- Stay calm and do the right thing, don’t get mad and act out of anger.
- Talk to each other, don’t just put everything in writing.
- Manage meetings properly, don’t simply abolish them because they’re not working.
- Develop people, don’t just expect them to know.
- Spot what they’re doing well and tell them, don’t just give ‘em hell.
- Reward what you want to see more of, don’t assume it’s always money that talks.
- Give them sincere, specific feedback, don’t sugar it all with the over-praise.
- Be an advocate for your team, don’t just be a cheerleader.
20 pointers, all of which I do my utmost to maintain as habit.
Credit to the superb, role-model leaders I worked with during my HR days at Village Leisure Hotels.
They were simply the best bosses ever – great coaches, who were absolutely leagues ahead of their time!!