How to Drive Growth through Remote Coaching?
Global boarders are not a barrier
‘Thank you again for your amazingness – you have really made an impact on my professional and personal life – life-changing!’ a Operations Manager based in South Africa, at the close of an online coaching programme.
I as a leadership coach, used to think that online wasn’t as good as face to face coaching. Even with my twenty years of working with leaders in global organisations on leadership and other skills; I had always had some online clients to work with.
I generally felt more confident when face 2 face though, mainly because of my lack of practice with technology and it’s sometimes wavering connectivity. Only this week, my laptop wouldn’t connect to the internet.
It’s frustrating for all parties, trying to communicate the problem, to work out where the issue is and how to solve it. Yet I have a tripod, I set my phone up, we went via 5G and although a bit of time was lost, we kicked in and the session went ahead with good result.
How do I know that? Because session round ups explore the value of the time and what is motivating my coachee to focus and build on.
Pre-covid ways
In the ‘old pre covid days’ travel budgets were bigger and when working with virtual clients, (I am base in the south UK), there was usually at least one face 2 face built in to a program, either in their or my location. To be honest, it was a joyous bonus, seen then as an essential part of a programme to meet the clients; especially as being in their environment can provide some unseen context.
Is it detrimental to the coaching if the coach does not have personal context of a coachee’s environment? No, because a coach can enquire into your perception of it, and what that view is based on.
The online reach
Clients are used to virtual, which gives you greater scope to find the best coach for you. My current clients are spread across the UK, in California, USA and South Africa. The added benefit to you of these more accessible arrangements includes the wider perspective of our different cultures to the challenges and opportunities you are looking to work on.
Are different skills employed for virtual coaching?
I believe not, I believe it’s more about attention. The ability to meet you where you are, to create an environment of trust that allows for your deep thoughts to be raised and worked through. Where space is made for your opinions, feelings and ideas to be heard and examined with out judgement. A place that stimulates your accountability in a way that motivates you to practice new ways and testing their impact.
Tips for for a successful remote coaching session
- Location choice – Maintains privacy, is comfortable and has limited distractions.
- Tech – You know how it works (e.g. share screen), have a back up plan when it doesn’t and have other contact methods.
- Preparation – Be ready in advance, have what you need handy, check your mindset
- Attention – Turn off other electronic distractions, be time smart, stay focused on the coaching
How coaching helps you to standout in the global talent pool
I believe it would be hard to argue that the workplace is more global now than ever. Meaning that we all face competition from a wider talent pool. More people are available for every role. Your record, performance and impact are being compared with a greater number of people. This makes coaching for growth and progression an even more valuable choice to help leaders and their teams results stand out.
Influencing courageous and compassionate leadership
Coaches often have a niche area. Something they are passionate about and focus on. Head4Leadership’s derives from the lessons and experience of overcoming personal challenges (coming back from a business loss), changing and adapting careers, as well as hearing many stories of being on the end of toxic and diminishing leadership. It’s not necessary!
Head4Leadership’s Mission:
To influence leadership cultures to demonstrate courage and compassion