Powerful Leadership Through Coaching

3Coaching from the Inside-Out

Coaching starts within us. Before can we help others, we need to examine ourselves and our motives and seek to model the change we seek in them. It is hard to get others to do something unless we are willing to do it first. It’s called having real street credibility.

The key question for a coach is, “How well do I connect with others?” Dr. Brené Brown says in her book Daring Greatly, “Connection [is] the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship” (Brown 2012).

The heart of leadership is inspiring trust and connection with others. Leadership is not so much about what we say—it is more about what people hear and feel. As a leader, you are first a model of trustworthiness. Great leaders focus on their own good win-win intent and credibility first.

Nothing lacks real credibility more than someone who doesn’t walk their talk. That’s why effective coaches always start “from the inside-out.” To be a great coach, you must drill down to your own inner motivations, ambitions, goals, and feelings. You must understand your own mindset. Why do you have this mindset? What is the “back story” of your approach to leadership?

To get answers to these questions, we need to ask some basic fundamental questions: Why are you, you? What makes you tick? What are your real motives and most important influences?

What brings ...