Some of us like things just as they are. Others of us want to be better or accomplish something better, but don’t want to invest the energy to make it happen. However, some—the A Players—are willing to invest in doing something they’ve never done to get something they’ve never had. Which are you? If you’re not an A Player, you can stop reading right now. If you are or want to be, then continue reading.
After more than a decade of coaching leaders, including many business leaders, I’ve helped many up their A game. I’ve seen businesses double in size and revenue in as little as three years and triple in 6-7 years. I’ve seen leaders at different levels gain confidence and lead more effectively. Are you curious as to how this happens?
- These leaders are honest and open, they are willing to be held accountable for taking actions they identify are needed.
- They want someone to ask them the hard questions.
- They develop their team members and recognize good performance.
- They are not afraid of having difficult conversations.
- They work on the right stuff.
- They take time to engage in strategic thinking.
- Lastly, they have a safe space to vent and talk through challenges that they are facing when they meet with me.
Maybe your preconceived notion of what a coach is has been false. We know that many high-performing athletic teams have a coach that is seen as a reason for a team’s success along with the highly paid players. Many professional teams that have reached dynasty status are inseparable from the individual who was coached at that time. There are a few that come to mind, Phil Jackson and the Lakers; Bill Walsh and the 49ers; Joe Torre and the New York Yankees; John Wooden and the U.C.L.A. Bruins basketball team. The point of this example is not to highlight the coach as a personality in and of themselves, but to show that there are teams with numerous A players and a coach that possesses leadership in guiding the team to accomplish the success they wanted.
About seven years ago, I was referred to a business owner. When I brought up the topic of coaching his reply was, “What do you know about my business?” Honestly, I didn’t know much. My reply was, “Well if you are looking for an advisor, then I’m not your guy. However, if you are open to coaching, that’s a different conversation.” I showed him a couple of pictures. They were the same picture, but I had rotated them in different directions. Depending on which direction you looked at the picture, you saw something different. I shared with him that the role of the coach is to challenge his view of how he looks at his business and help him move forward in the desired direction. We did a sample coaching session. He found the experience better than expected. Within 2-3 months, he asked me to work with his son. In the years that have followed, I have coached his division managers, new supervisors, and provided various leadership trainings.
2023 has just begun. What do you want to have accomplished by the end of the year? Do you need someone to help you look at things differently? Think about it—now let’s get started! Give me a call today at 916-622-3545 for a no-cost trial coaching session and up your game.
For The Faith-Based Reader:
The Apostle Paul adamantly contends that there is only one truth and that that truth comes from the One who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that is in it. In his letter to Titus, Paul asserts that while we may have lived foolishly in the past because of not knowing the truth, there is hope in the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for people just like us. Jesus sums it up this way by saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, ESV).
Often it is difficult to accept such a simple statement as this because it takes away that human desire to do things on our own with our own strength, intelligence, skills, and effort. It is also true that we all are born with unique traits, gifts, and abilities. Apart from God a person may achieve status and accomplish many things, but in the end, it will all be fruitless and unfulfilling.
Once we accept Christ into our lives, then all that we accomplish and do will have meaning not only in this life but also in the life to come. We belong to Christ lock-stock-and-barrel. Our vocations are an extension of who we are in Christ.[1] That being the case, what does God want to accomplish through you and/or your business in 2023?
While you are deliberating on what you want to do in 2023, consider what Paul said to Titus:
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:3-8, ESV)
We see in this passage that God calls us to do good things that are “excellent and profitable for people.” As we up our game, I encourage you to strive to trust God in delivering excellence in a way that is profitable for others inside and outside of your organization.
Reference:
[1] If you want more insights on this and read about how other Christians in the marketplace live and run business, check out my book, Bold Leadership – Biblical Principles for Marketplace Impact. You can find it on Amazon: Amazon.com: Bold Leadership: Biblical Principles for Marketplace Impact: 9780615643243: Switzer, Dr. Merlin: Books