We can often see positive leadership moments around us but rarely, do we talk about the loneliness that accompanies those moments when things aren’t going the way we’d planned. In the last few days, we have been witness, on a global scale, to some of those lonely moments as we watched the turbulence surrounding political leaders like David Cameron & his counterparts as they lean into the challenges of ‘Brexit’.
The loneliness and isolation each leader faces as they try to deal with the fall out of a majority decision that it seems (if we are to believe the stories) no-one actually believed would happen. People are crying out for unity and leadership with purpose to carry them through to the next phase whilst political leaders struggle to step up and do exactly what’s required – lead with purpose and create unity. I wonder how they might each rise to the challenge if they had a coach…? No doubt, they have countless political advisors who probably have vested interests in the political outcomes. If they worked with a coach who held an objective perspective & curiosity, it might really challenge their thinking. I wonder what they might be doing differently right now if that were the case…
Of course, you don’t have to be a political leader to feel this sense of isolation or turmoil. Being the leader of a small or medium sized business, large team or large organisation can be a lonely place at times too. Who do you talk to or bounce ideas off when you need to step out of the day to day ‘busyness’ or times are tough and decisions have to be made? Who can calm you and help you open up your mind to possibilities and help you see clearly again? Who is helping you leverage your strengths & enhance your development opportunities? Who do you confide in when you can’t share your thoughts with your team or peers?
I first came across coaching a few years back in my days as a marketer. Executive coaching was a fairly new practice, at that time and not many people hired one unless they were at the upper levels of an organisation and deemed important enough to merit one or if you were fortunate enough, as I was, to work for a forward looking organization, who hired coaches to work with many levels of leaders.
I was given a coach, at a time, when I needed it most. I had just come back to work after the birth of my son and my world was in chaos! Trying to juggle all the demands of a stressful big role and a new parent will be familiar to many people but working with a coach, saved my sanity. It helped me be more productive and focused on what was needed to see ‘the wood for the trees’ and achieve the business outcomes, as well as, manage my team and conflicting priorities more effectively. I can honestly say it was the most inspiring and powerful leadership development of my career and it changed my life for ever. It was this experience, which inspired me to change career and train as an Executive coach myself.
Since then, I have worked with many leaders at various levels in organisations and helped them lead their people and themselves more effectively.
Nowadays, thankfully, coaching is much more widely available and not saved for just the higher levels in an organisation or the C suite. The more foresighted leaders are already working with a coach to help challenge their thinking, bounce ideas around and focus on their personal development. It is important to leverage your strengths, as well as work on your development areas and lead authentically in your own way – this is what inspires others around you and you need someone who is objective and actually just curious about what matters to you if it is to work.
When I first meet new clients, they sometimes ask me how I define coaching & why I’m a coach. I talk about what coaching means to me… a great conversation which is thought-provoking, supportive & personalised. A powerful space to ignite & challenge your thinking… & what inspired me was my own experience of working with a coach. You don’t have to know what you’d work with a coach on, they’ll help you get to the heart of what’s important quickly if they’re curious & ask the right questions. So just try it & see if it inspires & changes your life like many others…
And yes Mr Cameron, Johnson, Gove, Corbyn & the rest, maybe it’s time you all got yourself coaches & really opened up your thinking to possibility as well as feeling supported in those lonely leadership moments…
Michele Pitts is the Director of Sunflowers and Soul Executive Coaching and works with leaders of small and large organisations around the world to enable them to lead inspired businesses, inspire their people and live inspired lives. If you would like to try coaching to help you be inspired and gain a different perspective on your world, please contact Michele directly via her website or Linked In.