6 Ways A Leader Can Develop Talents

Leaders face turbulent situations, diverse personalities, and multiple opportunities all while developing talent. Talent development is the best development and coaching-leaders passionately develop talent and deliver results at the same time.

Powerful conversations are the coaching-leader’s path to remarkable results. Coaching-leaders also focus on developing strengths and maximising capacity. Here are the six core coaching skills – adapted from a book titled Coaching for Engagement – that will help leaders develop talents through engaging conversations.

1. Self-awareness and energy management

• Develop awareness of your energy state
• Notice the impact of your energy on others
• Manage energy before conversations. How are you approaching this conversation?
• Monitor and manage energy during conversations. Watch for joy and frustration during powerful conversations

2. Curious questioning

• Invite input and expect differing opinions
• Seek to understand the values, assumptions, and goals of others
• Pursue new ways of seeing by inviting others in

3. Open listening

• Remain respectful when others speak. Reject personal assumptions and expectations
• Listen for aspiration. What motivates them?
• Watch body language and monitor emotions. How do they feel and what does that say about this topic?

4. Appreciative discovery

• Look for untapped talents, strengths, and capabilities
• Explore new options and opportunities for service
• Generate enthusiasm by connecting with aspiration and motivation

5. Catalytic feedback

• Talk about what’s working and what’s getting in the way
• Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins
• Reinforce positive behaviours with praise

6. Heightened engagement

• Stay focused on results while building relationships
• Define success together, agree on next steps, and how progress will be reviewed
• Review progress, identify relevant learning, and celebrate achievement

Surprising strategy

Begin with self-awareness and end with heightened engagement. Approach the six core coaching skills as a sequential trail to a mountain peak. Ask yourself these questions:

• Which coaching skill has been most useful to you and how?
• Which coaching skill is most challenging?
• How might leaders develop it?

Reposted with permission on Leaderonomics.com

This article is also available in Chinese.