My challenge is to introduce the coaching contagion in my organisation.

I use the word “contagion” deliberately, because the coaching idea needs to spread from person to person for it to truly take off. Coaching can be done anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. It doesn’t even require a lot of time. I think it just needs the right intention, an inquisitive mind, empathy and a deep desire to learn.

It is almost like creating an internal language in an organisation for learning and development. So what have I done to introduce the coaching contagion?

1. Take every opportunity to ask coaching-type questions. Once I set my intention to do this, I actually find lots of opportunities to ask coaching questions – at meetings, work discussions, and even via emails. I don’t think people realize those are coaching questions but at least some questions seem to make people reflect more.

2. Educate my boss. I guess the more appropriate term would be “contracting” with my boss, but I use the word “educate” as there seems to be some misconceptions about coaching e.g. a coach will help to “sort out” a poor performer. I am happy to coach a perceived poor performer, but I don’t want to go with the notion that I am there to help him improve his performance just because the boss said so. I would rather have a conversation with him to find out what he would like to focus on, and help him achieve his desired outcome.

3. Reflect on myself more. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” By reflecting more on myself, it has invariably helped me focus better on my work. I feel more energized and feel I am able to achieve more in a day. Perhaps this is to do with the transferable nature of coaching skills into other realms of our lives.

4. Take it slow and steady. Coaching is a developmental journey for the coach as much as the person being coached. I need to be patient on this journey and not expect quick results. Spread the contagion slowly.

 Visit Anuradha’s page to find out more about his work.

_{This post was first published on Anu Shroff blog and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.
Edited by Nedda Chaplin
Image Credit: Beautiful child with dandelion flower in spring park. Happy kid having fun outdoors from Shutterstock}

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