Being a good coach is crucial to being a good leader

Leaders thinking about their last day of work should understand what would they want their teams to be, what they will remember about their leadership and how sustainable they will be.
When the last moment comes more clearly in sight, the leader will start creating a legacy in the company. Some may think about building a statue for the next generation as a reminder, but that’s just an external symbol. So let’s inscribe precious value and knowledge into the heart of employees.
Nowadays, the value of a leader has changed, from the commander who always gave orders in the past to now, the decade of creative economy. Leadership skills have become part of the limitless possibilities to develop the company as the company needs new value from its teams. The team that thinks differently works efficiently, and gets results successfully.
That’s the “teach without tell” scheme, beginning with an open-ended question that creates the art of possibility in the answer. It brings valuable answers from the depth of their hearts out into the public. It provides the opportunity to create a vision by using their own wisdom to redefine their own solution.
The “teach without tell” method is not just to keep asking the question. There is also the process of monitoring, tracking and accepting the result with an open mind. The leader will watch through the developing process.
When planting a tree, you need to create the right environment for your selected seedling, water it, apply fertilisers and watch. It is not just a matter of trying to pull out the tree every day to see the root, and asking the tree, “When will you grow?”
The coach is like an organic farmer. Do not mess with natural development, be supportive, be a partner, and be the leader.
A good leader will understand the process of “teach without tell”. Be attentive to “ask the question” and not just “create the answer” any more.

Soranun Choochut is with the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute (Thailand).