I had a conversation recently about how some people see it as a weakness to have a coach. And I agree that years ago that might have been the case but nowadays most people agree that having that external perspective can really add value to you or your business. However, having a Team coach is still seen as questionable – surely that is the job of the leader?

Below I will explain why it is the strongest of leaders who acknowledge the need for and benefit of having a team coaching working with them. It is not that the leader has failed to get the team to perform it is that they have recognised that they will get better results by bringing in an expert.

A team coach works with you to achieve the objectives you have set and with you and the team to find the path to achieving them. This allows the leader to work as part of the team, closer to the ground, building essential relationships for great leadership.

Having a Team coach facilitating a session means that the leader is relieved of the duties of running the session and making sure that the focus is maintained. It allows everyone to contribute equally and for the leader to increase their understanding of each team member and vice versa.

Most enlightened leaders today recognise the need to surround themselves with people who have strengths in other areas, people who have complementary skills. So you need to hear what they have to say and to be able to use that power and energy to make the best decisions for the company or the team. As Steve Jobs said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”

A team coach helps you to see the benefits of the diverse thinking within the team and the increase in deeper thinking around goals and problem-solving. They help to generate the energy of the team and harness it around the objectives you have set.

Great team performance enhances the performance of the leader, as a great team will push to excel and hold themselves and you accountable. It will also reduce any weaknesses as the strength of the wider team enhances performance.

As with all coaching, the team coach gives you an external perspective, they will be able to spot dynamics and trends in the way the team behaves that it would be difficult if not impossible to see from within. Pushing the team to remove friction and be more open and supportive of each other. They create the space for the whole team to feel they can be open and get to the real problems and identify the barriers that need to be broken down. They are not there to tell you how to do it but to get the best from you.

So if you have assembled a team and you want the best from and for them I suggest you get a team coach in to help you on that journey.

For a chat or discuss any of the points raised then please get in touch – Mhairi