As we end 2021, one profession that has gained centerstage is that of a Business Coach. As a Coach myself, I am proud to note that I have helped several business leaders and their businesses navigate these challenging times with calm and composure, keeping them wary of short-sighted decisions.
Until recently, coaching was considered a ‘soft’ aspect in management practice. It was often in conflict with the idea of a ‘strong’ manager who needs to make ‘tough’ business decisions. It may have been valid to a certain extent when we ran organizations as per business management books, consultant’s advice and wisdom of experience. However, traditional business approaches paled in the face of challenges presented by COVID-19. A healthcare risk of this scale was never a part of any company ‘risk’ manual.
The pandemic has reiterated the necessity of having a Coach for every business leader. Navigating the unknown without any previous case study compelled business leaders to delve into the emotional aspect of leadership with equal, if not more, measure alongside professional qualifications. The pandemic and sudden lockdown took every business leader by surprise, with strategy teams having no ‘what if’ scenarios planned out.
Who is a Business Coach?
A Coach, by practice, is a ‘friend, philosopher and guide’. They help you discover yourself in a structured and goal-oriented manner. They guide business leaders towards professional success with equal care for their human side. A Coach helps you build good health, honest and happy relationships with colleagues and family. Ultimately, it leads to realizing a larger sense of purpose in your daily life as a part of your career.
In the post-pandemic world, I see the immense benefit of a Coach in one’s professional and personal journey. Here are three ways a Coach can help a business leader deliver holistic results:
1. Navigating the unknown: The pandemic is an example that undefined or currently inconceivable risks will always be a threat to businesses. A Coach is an ideal ‘mentor’ who, in a structured manner, can help a leader delve into the future in a surer and definite way. Alongside hard facts, the mind’s ability to process and distil softer aspects of human importance is critical to continue as a leader.
2. It’s lonely at the top: A common rue I have observed with leaders is that being a CEO, MD or senior leader is often lonely. They can’t always share their worries and challenges openly or with teams as it may be seen as a sign of ‘weakness’. The new remote and hybrid norms of working, especially during the lockdown with limited human interactions, make it lonelier at the top. Leaders, like everyone else, need to share their worries and it is perfectly fine to be ‘vulnerable’ in the new normal.
A Coach acts as a (confidential) friend who lends a ‘listening ear’ and a ‘resting shoulder’ to leaders. Any anxiety or stress build-up can be addressed by having discussions outside the ‘corporate’ reporting structure, yet systematically and professionally.
3. Sounding board and your Personal Ethics Officer: Organizations that prioritized qualitative aspects like health & safety have won hands down in the pandemic versus organizations that acted quantitatively to protect immediate revenues. Business leaders need to work not just for the financial gains of the organization but the overall well-being of the ecosystem. Such dilemmas often border on the fine line of ethics, human dignity and being good rather than right. A Coach can be the ‘tough’ friend who flags situations where the leader needs to be humane instead of Excel sheet oriented.
The recent firing of more than 900 employees over a Zoom call has led to severe repercussions. Damage control has seen the CEO apologizing and taking time off while senior team members resigned in protest. Long-term damage to brand goodwill and difficulty attracting future talent are other ‘non-financial’ consequences.
This decision was driven by a number oriented leadership style without consideration for the human dignity and self-respect of the employees being ‘fired’. Similar ‘let go’ initiatives of employees that were undertaken responsibly by organizations have not caused such damage. Showing the other party respect, explaining the reason and process and offering due compensation and re-employment support are some humane ways to deal with the situation. A Coach of the CEO would have helped avoid such unpleasant scenes.
2021 has been a year of learnings for businesses. Leaders need to be future-ready with new skills and attitudes. So, what better way to start the New Year than hiring your Coach for the journey ahead?
Wishing you a great year ahead. Take care of your health and stay safe.
