Taking a Strengths-Based Approach to Coach in the Workplace
Coaching in any industry can help an individual or team grow in self-confidence, wellness, and work performance. Coaches have the knowledge and expertise to empower individuals as they grow in insight and mindset. Coaches can help build stronger, more goal-oriented teams in the workplace.
An employee being coached benefits from rapid learning and a sense of belonging, while the organization benefits from higher retention, a higher level of engagement, and a deeper and more confident talent pool. In this article, we will focus on a strengths-based coaching approach and explore the benefits of coaching in the workplace.
What is a strengths-based approach to coaching?
The foundation of a strengths-based approach to business coaching is that there is more satisfaction and performance gain when proficiencies are developed, rather than when weaknesses are identified. Your strengths are your most positive, energizing qualities, so they provide a strong base for solving problems, achieving tasks, overcoming challenges, and building relationships. Gaining a deeper understanding of your strengths is an effective way to address the challenges you are facing.
It is easy to understand why strengths are attractive as a coaching focus for development. People enjoy doing the things that they are good at – they are more likely to practice them and solicit feedback on them. That enjoyment and feedback keep them motivated to keep practicing and progressing. When an employee is motivated to use their skills or perform a task, the entire organization benefits. Employee engagement and productivity increases and collaboration and communication are more successful.
Coaching with a strengths-based approach helps identify the individual strengths of each team member and builds upon those strengths for the benefit of the individual, as well as the entire team. This approach comes from positive psychology and focuses people on the positive aspects of their personalities which bring them to life and energize them.
What are the benefits of strengths-based coaching in the workplace?
- Introspection – Self-awareness is a key skill for personal and professional development. Coaches and coachees can work together to build a deeper insight into strengths and potential areas for growth. An excellent way to build personal awareness is through assessments such as Edges™ Inter Face Methods™. Valuable insights into communication preferences provide increased self-awareness and a starting point for a coaching relationship.
- Resilience – Through positive, productive feedback, and improved introspection, employees develop their resilience. They become better able to adapt to changing or stressful circumstances successfully. This decreases the likelihood of burnout and improves overall job satisfaction.
- Communication – Developing effective communication skills is essential in all aspects of our lives. In any workplace, focusing on team connectivity and individual communication preferences creates a positive culture that focuses on professional growth and helps all employees reach their full potential.
- Collaboration – Strengths-based coaching creates an environment in which all team members are committed to personal development. People are better able to understand the motivations and underlying commitments of everyone in the group. There is reduced conflict and improved confidence. All members of the team are able to contribute more effectively.
- Self-confidence – One of the benefits of a coaching relationship is learning through others’ experiences and being affirmed by the people you trust. Strategies that work towards achieving goals and celebrating those accomplishments with a coach is an excellent way to develop self-confidence.
When employees are happy and feel a sense of belonging, productivity, and performance improve. Organizations that engage in strengths-based coaching with teams and/or individuals feel empowered and can show profound growth, both personally and professionally. Employees learn better and retain more information when they are personally invested in the learning process. When organizations show genuine commitment to their employee’s well-being, employees are engaged, motivated, and feel an overall sense of job satisfaction.
How can EDGES™ help to maximize and build on the strengths of your organization?
EDGES™ coaching is strengths-based with the goal to align the executive or leader to their role in ways that maximize and build on their strengths.
The process includes the following:
• Objectives setting meeting
• Pre-work to understand behavior and wiring
• Feedback on pre-work with a Narrative Summary Report
• Development plan focus meeting with the participant and their Leader
• Strengths-based, applied coaching to support growth in the Role and to build potential for success and career growth
• Competency data is available to utilize within Talent Management
• Team Connectivity data is available
• All coaching is applied to the job role, rather than conceptual.
82% of Supervisors report significant improvement in the participant’s business results. Supervisors and participants set key metrics targets, during the Development Plan Focus Meeting, wherever possible. Work is then geared towards assisting the leader to strategically align their actions to build business capacity according to the targets. The coaching will deeply focus on a leader’s growth to improve results within their scope of work. Supervisors will be asked to share pre/post progress observed, while the EDGES™ Coach will regularly provide updates.
Skill focus in Edge’s™ coaching programs may include but is not limited to, team collaboration, relational influence, problem-solving, inclusion, change readiness, process improvement, leading results, utilizing resources, and building strategic capacity. Each learning experience starts with a 15-minute survey, which is free with the first year’s subscription. Learning content is personalized, based on each participant’s set of responses for a unique Learning Hub™ experience using the Inter Face Methods™ assessment tool.
With Managing Partners, Patti and Ken Leith, we have 9 EDGES™ certified coaches who participate in this valuable program. We are 33% minority and 66% female, with our certified team. As the scope of the participant’s Role grows, so does the capacity and experience of the EDGES™ Coach. EDGES™ certified Coaches complete a 9-12 month, hands-on certification period to fully learn the protocols for each strengths-based coaching program. Owners provide ongoing mentoring and oversight for coaches. All EDGES™ Coaches demonstrate proven success at the level they coach. EDGES™ will never pair a Coach with a Client if they have not achieved the same level as the Client or had similar responsibilities. Coaches are paired with their Clients based on experience and behavioral style.
Founded in 2001 as a Leadership Development Company, EDGES™ has evolved to be a resource for growing companies to help their Leaders grow their people, plan collaboratively and ensure process efficiency. If you are ready to strengthen communication in your organization through coaching or would like more information about the Inter Face Method™ tool, go to interfacemethods.com.