I am writing this having just wrapped up my first leadership development programme of the year for a major aircraft manufacturer.
What clearly dropped out for me this week is the necessary dance between leaders and facilitators where each of us are learning from each other.
Time and again, I see that the best leaders do not hide who they are as a human being. They bring their whole selves to the role, lead by example, then step back to create the space for their whole team to shine. They understand that it’s not about them but about the team.
Which is exactly what we as coaches and facilitators do for them.
Over the years it took me a while to learn that being a great coach or facilitator is not about making breakthrough interventions that blow people’s minds. It’s not about me. It’s about stepping back and enabling people to do their own learning, in their own way. Simple, but not easy.
Last month I wrote about how we can only help others learn and change if we are open and authentic about our own never-ending learning.
This week, feedback confirmed exactly this. We basically inspired each other with our own vulnerabilities, creating a virtuous circle of learning.
Job done and a great start to the new year!
(Actually, the job is never done…)
True Horizon Coaching 