We all need a refresh every so often as leaders. I just finished a short refresher coaching class.
During our class, I was reminded of the first time I began coaching in my professional career. Years ago, I departed my first command tour in Australia. After a tearful goodbye to all my Aussie friends, I boarded the airplane headed to my next duty station in Millington, Tennessee (near Memphis). Melbourne to Memphis, what a change. At the Navy Personnel Command, I would become a “detailer” or career manager.
On my 15 + hour plane ride back to the US, I had time to ponder. Lots of time. Who was I going to be as a career manager? My first encounter with a career manager very early in my career was not-so-great, but you’ll have to read my book for more of that story. Short version – the career manager suggested it was “hard” to get into Test Pilot School and it might not be something I should pursue. Oh, how wrong he was!
One thing I knew. I would do things differently and relationally, coaching my constituents to their next opportunity.
As I began my new assignment, I vowed never to discourage, only to encourage. I loved my work. The daily personal interaction I had with the officers in my career field energized me. One-on-one coaching! Sometimes I met with my constituents in person, but more often I was on my phone headset, counseling, coaching, and then assigning orders to my members. I listened deeply to their stories, helping them make trade-offs amongpersonal desires, professional career progression, and, of course, the needs of the Navy.
We make our best decisions when we are coached instead of directed or given advice. Coaches help us self-discover, tapping deeply into our own personal knowledge of what we need and what we might do next.
Are you facing a transition in your work or personal life? Not sure what to do next? Drop me a line and let’s talk about some coaching.
Fly high,
Barbara
Want to know more? As a coach, I’m full of questions that might generate some inspiring answers. Connect with me at captainbarbarabell.com and of course check out my book, Flight Lessons: Navigating Through Life’s Turbulence and Learning to Fly High. Each section of the book is filled with impactful coaching questions.
#coaching, #mentoring, #veterans, #leadership, #powerfulquestions
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
