Leadership Tactics - being the best you
Well, that didn’t go to plan!
Ever had that thought after a conversation? Even after a planned, possibly even structured conversation?
A recent “The Coach’s Journey” podcast described a supervision session with a coach (supervision = the professional development of coaches and is a standard of practice for accredited coaches) whose coaching was being impacted because they were coaching straight after being with their young children.
This coach’s performance was not optimal for their clients. This is one of the values of coaching supervision and mentoring - we are none of us the finished article.
Coaches are professional communicators and are open to ongoing development. It is fair to say, that communication development is an opportunity for many leaders also.
Natural vs Structured Communications
“They’re a natural”
Another (unhelpful) phrase that is thrown about casually. What does “natural” mean?
To describe something as natural, possibly indicates that no science has been applied to the understanding of the process. It is much easier to describe someone or something as natural than to unpick layers of understanding to generate actual insight or a replicable method.
Can we please just let go of the “naturals”, especially as role models? They do exist but offer little to those seeking to grow. Instead, let’s examine how some tools can be applied to communication.
Coachable Tools for Communication
John Amaechi, in his book “The Promises of Giants” outlined the “POB” structure to communicate. This tool is a coachable asset. The coach adds value by creating scenarios for a client to practice in a safe space. POB stands for:
Prepare
Orient
Behave
Prepare
This is you being present in the optimal mindset to conduct whatever form of communication it is. This may include breathing exercises, it may include detaching, checking in, or mindful self-awareness. There are many many tools. The most important one is developing the habit of simply pausing for a quick self-check.
That pause may reveal unhelpful elements present in ourselves (strong emotions or ego for example).
Remedying anything untoward that is found is the logical reaction here.
The outcome is a calm, present, curious and the best version of you possible in that moment.
Now it’s time to pivot to your audience.
Orient
Communication is all about your audience - to land your message or chosen impact you must communicate in a way that is meaningful to them. No clearer example of this can there be than speaking the same language.
Ok, that’s a little obvious, but it makes the point. Let’s explore the nuance. In the same way that having insight into your own state can aid in optimising your communication performance, so too can understanding where they are. Are they feeling safe, or scared? Open or closed? Perhaps all of them. Perhaps they don’t know.
Just taking the time (developing the habit) to pause and consider your audience is already improving your communication. Tuning your communication to them and their state is the logical resulting action.
Behave
Once you have established the best version of yourself possible at the moment, coupled with an insight into your audience’s condition, you are now ready to behave in a mindful manner - to perform your communication.
Picture the speaker preparing to go on stage (insert actor, sports person or many others). They pause, take a moment, breathe in, then launch. This is how they optimise their performance.
Pausing as a habit
Squeezing a pause to do POB into your performance as a communicator can be formed as a habit. To start this positive habit formation, working through case examples, and role-playing scenarios can all help.
Doing nothing active to introduce this pause for POB into your professional (it works well in your personal life also) will mean no development (improvement) will occur.
This is one of those moments to seize. Get the help you need to get this habit going.
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