Last week, I had the privilege of leading a seminar for a company (I love) that was having an online version of their annual retreat. My topic was on coaching (of course) and how to take your coaching to the next level. Just FYI, in a workplace context, leaders coach all the time – whether it’s employee development, performance improvement, resolving workplace conflicts, problem solving, creating culture. Leaders coach in so many ways.

I decided that the best approach I could offer came from stealing…ahem…leveraging brilliance from the personal development space and applying it to the workplace. I love to do that – reuse, repurpose, integrate. And there’s so much great content!

In preparation, I asked a few of my favorite amazingly effective high-powered leadership coaches for a quote. I asked them what one skill would they recommend to leaders who want to take their coaching to the next level. I’ve paraphrased their answers a tad, but here’s what they said:

• Empathy and using your intuition to read a room. (Jay Irwin)
• Heart and warmth – most leaders withhold warmth when their employees disappoint them, but that’s when it’s needed the most. (Alyssa Rocco)
• Normalizing imposter syndrome – everyone from a CEO to a janitor is uncomfortable and nervous when doing something new. It’s normal. (Megan Jo Wilson)

I love these all so much. They’re probably not what you’d expect to hear if you were going to a business seminar – unless it was led by Brené Brown or Simon Sinek – but that’s exactly why I wanted to snag stuff from personal development coaching.

Then I wondered, what would I say if someone asked me? I know the answer would probably change over time. And it’s so hard to pick just one thing. But here it is:

“Be the human you are meant to be.”

Sounds simple, but there is so much there.

Be – not do.

The human – be a real human being; you don’t need to play a role or follow a scripts. Just be real.

You are – you don’t need to become somebody else, you’re perfect for the job.

Meant to be – that’s a sneaky way of getting your calling and your highest self into the room here with us.

Be the leader you want to be by being the human you are meant to be.

Deceptively simple. It takes a lot of the pressure off. It makes lots of room for empathy and heart and intuition and warmth. And yes, we won’t always get it right the first time. It might be a little scary to try this different approach. That’s 100% normal.

In the meantime, remember these things: You are loved. We are all loved. Let’s all be kind. And in all things – progress, not perfection!

Love and light,

Maggie

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Are you interested in being the leader you are meant to be? Send me an email and we can set up a time to talk: maggie@maggiehuffman.com