Insights

When we talk about organisational culture, it’s easy to focus on what’s visible - the elements we can see, measure, and discuss openly. These include company values, mission statements, team structures, and how people interact daily.

But like an iceberg, what’s visible is only a small part of the whole.

Have you ever set a big goal, only to find yourself stuck in the same old routine? You’re not alone. We all want to improve our lives - be it by eating healthier, learning a new skill, or achieving professional milestones. Yet, despite our best intentions, change often feels elusive.

The good news... Transforming your life doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Instead, it’s about harnessing the power of tiny, consistent actions. Inspired by James Clear's book Atomic Habits, let’s dive into how these small changes can lead to extraordinary results.

In our pursuit of excellence and leadership, it's essential to continuously refine our approach to managing and developing our teams. One highly effective leadership style is coaching, which focuses on empowering team members to achieve their full potential. 

Here are four coaching skills that will help develop a coaching culture within your team.

I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of continuous growth and learning, especially when it comes to our careers and leadership. In this blog, we'll delve into the significance of reflection in leadership and how this powerful practice can pave the way for more effective and empathetic leaders.

How comfortable do you feel giving and receiving feedback?

I can tell you it’s tricky for most of the managers and leaders I coach 121 and is often a discussion point in team sessions.

If you work with other humans, then feedback is a part of your role and if you are a manager or leader then you have a responsibility to give effective and equitable feedback. However, these valuable exchanges often don’t happen as frequently as they could.

Feedback is important for career development, building relationships with colleagues, and enhancing performance.

Asking for feedback can be a bit intimidating because you're opening yourself up to possible criticism. Cultivating a positive mindset is key to overcoming the fear of feedback. It’s important to remember that no one is perfect, everyone has and will make mistakes, and there's always room for improvement. In this respect, you're the same as everyone else in your organisation. It takes courage to admit that you're not perfect. So, when you ask for feedback, you've already put yourself a step above the majority who don't.

Most of my clients want to work on their confidence. The context varies from career change to leadership to significant life changes, but confidence always shows up somewhere in the process. To move forward, we need to believe in ourselves and our ability to be successful.

Here’s a story about leadership in action.

I met a stranger at the gym which is unusual because when I enter the gym it’s headset on, minimal eye contact, I’m here to train!

This stranger managed to have a big impact on my training and mindset with just a few short interactions. I reflected on that and realised he demonstrated a powerful process that can be adopted by anyone who wants to get the best out of people around them, be it their team, peers or friends.

Leaders are everywhere, not just in the office. Sometimes they pop up when you least expect it.