Being Present: The Art of Inspiring Leadership through Active Listening, Curiosity, and Person-Centric Coaching

Transitioning from Sales Director to self-employed Executive Coach, I've discovered the remarkable impact of coaching on leadership. Reflecting on my experience coaching the leadership team at G2 in EMEA, I've gained invaluable insights that have ignited new levels of success for both the coachees and myself.

Here are my top three learnings from working with the incredible individuals at G2:

🧠. Being mentally present is essential. As a mentor, it's not always easy to truly be present with another person. To dedicate my full attention to the coachee, I had to set aside my own agenda and resist the urge to think ahead or assume I knew what they were trying to say. By actively acknowledging their thoughts and emotions, I established trust and built a solid foundation for meaningful coaching sessions. Being fully present in the moment allowed me to recognize when the coachee needed more time to speak and enabled profound insights to emerge from silent breaks in the conversation.

🤔. Cultivating curiosity is a powerful tool. Genuine inquisitiveness about the coachee's perspective creates an environment for self-reflection and introspection. By actively listening and asking thought-provoking questions, I encouraged coachees to delve deeper into their challenges, leading them to uncover hidden insights and approach problem-solving with newfound clarity.

👀. Focusing on the person, not just the content, is key. While specific challenges and situations brought by coachees are important, it's crucial not to get too caught up in the details. As a coach, I offered specific advice by sharing relevant personal experiences when requested, but I avoided derailing the conversation with excessive content or stories. Instead, I prioritized understanding the individual's unique circumstances and thought process. By fostering self-awareness, I empowered coachees to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, enhance their decision-making abilities, and adopt a growth mindset.

One of the greatest coaching challenges I faced was resisting the temptation to provide immediate answers. Due to my experience in sales, coachees often presented me with familiar problems, and I naturally wanted to offer quick solutions. However, I realized that true coaching lies in expanding coachees' thinking and guiding them to examine their own emotional responses. Though it may seem less efficient initially, this approach develops critical thinking skills and empowers coachees to navigate their challenges independently. It also leads to a stronger sense of resolution as coachees feel authentically aligned with their own solutions, driving them to implement meaningful change.

Reflecting on my coaching journey, I've encountered moments of self-doubt regarding my ability to help coachees reach their full potential. However, I've learned the power of active listening from those who have asked thought-provoking questions and patiently guided me through my own challenges and triumphs. Their influence inspires me to provide a safe space for my coachees and set aside my doubts. Of course, receiving amazing feedback also greatly reinforces my confidence.

Beyond professional impact, I've realized that coaching skills, such as active listening, unwavering curiosity, and person-centric guidance, have profound personal implications. By nurturing self-reflection and empathy, these skills equip individuals with valuable tools to enhance their overall well-being. As a coach, I feel privileged to enable this transformative process.

In conclusion, I express my deepest gratitude to my mentor, Mike Weir, for providing me with the incredible opportunity to coach the exceptional team at G2. I also acknowledge the remarkable leadership of Gordon Tobin, the European MD, and his dedicated team at G2 in EMEA. Their unwavering support and belief in my coaching abilities have been instrumental in my growth. I am grateful and excited to continue my coaching journey, eager to make a positive impact on others.