If you are thinking of working with me for your team or group, I invite you to spend some time with these questions.
Indicators your might benefit from coaching:
- It is increasingly difficult to obtain agreement among senior staff.
- Leaders are showing signs of fatigue.
- The same issues surface repeatedly.
- “Partner” organizations are making life difficult.
- There are more and more conversations at the water fountain and fewer in meetings.
- You’re having a crucial meeting and want it to go well.
Questions:
- What are people saying at the water cooler (or through Twitter and texting)?
- What is not discussed?
- How has the organization enviroment changed?
- What new demands exist for the organization?
- What dream has yet to be fulfilled?
- If you could change one thing in your leadership team, what would it be?
Another set of questions for more detailed preparation: (Based on the work of Will Schutz.)
- Control: How are decisions made? Who makes them? Who likes it and doesn’t like it that way? How’s it going?
- Inclusion: People are always moving in and out of groups, even if they still come to meetings. Who’s really on the inside, participating and contributing? Who is excluded from the group, even subtly? Who’s missing and yet vital, even if unpopular at the moment?
- Openness: To what extent can the things above and much more be discussed thoroughly in the group? Groups failing to make progress are often stuck with unspoken issues.
- Goals: Oh, yes, that one. Is there a clear one? Are there deadlines? Where did the goal come from? Who cares about it?
- Existence: Given all that is happening in your organization, why spend resources on this team or group? If you don’t know the answer to that, let’s not waste time coaching.
Do these questions and issues resonate with you? Contact Sam to explore coaching: Via email at sam@sammagill.com, by completing this form or by phoning 425-787-0846.
