One of the key challenges that I face daily as a business coach, is that I have to ask the hard questions that frequently people don’t ask of themselves.
This can be a challenge that many will just not respond to as it can generate a defence mechanism in people which literally shuts down the conversation.
Some therefore see it as encroaching. It’s not, but it certainly is challenging.
Running any business is an enormous task for anyone and any entrepreneur should rightly be proud of their achievements. It takes a huge amount of personal sacrifice to build a successful business. It also takes a huge amount of honesty to recognise when outside help, guidance and advice is needed.
This is not a reflection of any failures but I believe a recognition that no one can meet all decisions alone.
I am working with a brilliant speaking coach Patrick Sutton of Communicate with Confidence who is helping me to develop as a speaker. His questions and feedback can sometimes be very difficult for me to hear, but hear them I must if I am to progress. He holds no punches and I am very much the better for that. If that does encroach sometimes in to my comfort zone so be it. It needs to.
Likewise in your business, having an outside person challenge and question the perceived internal logic can be very powerful and positive.
Having a team of yes managers in any business is ultimately very destructive, as quickly coming to consensus on issues can be counterproductive.
Patrick Lencioni in his brilliant book “Death By Meeting” concludes that any meeting that lacks both conflict and drama is a failure.
Encourage, conflict and questioning in all your decision making processes and encourage critical feedback. It is the only to really learn and develop as a manager and a team leader.
Be the coach and ask the hard questions of yourself and others. You will be a better leader for it.
Best of luck Ronan
