One of the key beliefs of the Leader as Coach is that we are each
doing the best we can at any given time. It doesn’t mean we can’t
do better, just that we are doing our best at any moment.

In business, it can be darn difficult to remain true to this belief.

If a particular team member is not performing as well as could be
expected … or does something that doesn’t work, it is easy to get
judgmental and think… or even say

• - They must not be a team player
• - Do I have to do everything around here?
• - They must be lazy, stupid [fill in the blank]…..
• - I’m gonna give them a piece of my mind and figure out why the
    heck they did that.

If we assume that this person is actually doing their best - I mean really … how often does someone deliberately and consciously sabotage the team -If we believe they are doing their best at all times …

I have found the the #1source of what looks like Poor Performance is:
INCOMPLETE AWARENESS
- This person is not aware of something you know … and if they were, they would behave differently
- You are not aware of the reasons why they do what they do and if you were … their actions would make sense

Hint:In many cases it is your SYSTEMS that produce these behaviors not employees randomly trying to mess up

The goal is not to Shame or Blame … the goal here is to Understand

To understand their viewpoint and share your’s. To get everyone together on the same page. Only at that point, with a shared team awareness, will you learn the best actions to drive improved performance.

This sharing of viewpoints is the essence of being a Coaching Leader.

As you can see, this perspective is less emotionally charged than
becoming judgmental.

The coach moves the team forward with two basic leadership skills: Questioning and Listening … rather than blaming and commanding.

The best solutions are ones generated in this collaborative environment. Its foundation is the Leaders’s Belief that we are each always doing
our best.