Developing Strong Relationships
In the early stages of an individual’s professional career, no measure of success is validated more than the ability to produce results. We are praised, promoted and rewarded for consistency when it comes to achieving goals and over time, we become conditioned to believe that the ability to produce is our greatest value to the organizations we support.
However with continued success in results-driven action, many leaders find themselves promoted to levels within organizations where clear wins and measurable results are not as easy to identify. Goals shift from clear targets, such as budget expectations and KPIs, to more ambiguous measures, such as board approval, employee engagement and customer satisfaction. Leaders can find themselves disoriented when they realize that not only are clear wins hard to identify but also their individual skills are no longer enough to produce the successful outcomes their organizations have come to expect from their leadership.
Instead of determining strategy and holding others accountable to key deliverables, leaders establish long-term goals and advise on the best methods to produce quality outcomes.
Instead of stepping in, taking over and performing individual tasks to set an example, leaders create alignment on goals, provide mentorship and create opportunities for others to shine.
Instead of avoiding feedback and performance-management efforts, leaders welcome the opportunity to provide insight and develop growth plans with those they lead.
Instead of assuming their experiences give them all the answers, leaders brainstorm with others, explore alternative perspectives and use problem solving as an opportunity to cultivate talent.
Although there are hundreds of ways for a leader to build trusting relationships and extend the reach of professional influence, a coach can serve as a valuable ally when examining opportunities to shift away from personal success strategies toward those that leverage the power of professional partnerships. Coaches will challenge leaders to redefine measures of success, develop relationship-building skills and explore strategies to leverage relationships to achieve organizational goals.
