The words coaching and mentoring have been circulating the internet for quite some time now. The benefits of such sessions include increased confidence and performance, better communication with colleagues and a healthier working environment. Still, there are lots of questions regarding the method itself, the timeline of the process and who to turn to in general. To answer all of your questions, we have recently interviewed Zsuzsa Czagler, HRKOMM Award Winner Leadership Developer and Motivational Maps Business Practitioner to have a better understanding of what coaching looks like.
Coaching is a creative process helping individuals or groups to perform their best in business and personal lives as well. Zsuzsa describes the process as embarking on a journey and facing a huge rock on the road- a good coach will be able to help you get from A to B. However, as opposed to psychologists, they will not focus on the rock, its role in your life or how it got there, they will think of alternative methods to continue to move forward. Coaches do their best to help others refill with energy, to find motivation and define the questions you need answers to.
Motivation is one of the most powerful assets you can be equipped with at work. We have come across thousands of candidates with wonderful skillsets and amazing records of experience who weren’t hired because they were missing that “spark”. Lack of motivation can easily lead to an early burnout, making your days tiring and dull. Asking for help in business is just as necessary and prosperous than seeking counseling with mental problems.
The problem usually starts with someone not living up to their potential. Some tasks may not be performed correctly, negativity may start to surround them and even spread over to colleagues, and conflicts might arise… In an ideal situation, a coach steps in to identify why someone is being low on fuel. A motivational maps test can then be conducted, which gives an immediate snapshot and helps to see both sides where the problem is, and where energy is being drawn away from someone. The map makes the whole process transparent, teaching the coached person (coachee) to learn about how they can evolve and change rather than showing them pre-made solutions. They highlight where the problems are, and experienced coaches are able read between the lines- and define how they can be targeted. Motivational Maps can be filled online. As it’s a centralized test, based on the enneagram, the Maslow pyramid, and many more simple but effective tests. After conducting the test, a coach helps define goals and practices that elevate the person’s overall performance and mood.
Motivational Maps can also be of help during interviewing. Incorporating more personal elements into your HR processes has proven to be beneficial in the long run, even though it may take more time from your colleagues. If you’re really looking for the greatest addition to a team, the candidate has to match on a personal level too, and it might also be easier for managers as well if they are able to know how to motivate a whole team, based on matching values.
Yes, in fact, Zsuzsa herself specializes in coaching groups and leaders. (You can check out this Hungarian article in her website about group coaching) With groups, they conduct a Team Motivational Map, to show what the majority is motivated by, what discourages them, and what can be done to enable them to function effectively as a team. Sometimes, the answers are completely diverse and more complicated, individual solutions are needed, sometimes a simple, evident solution solves all the problems. Effective strategies are based on keeping people energized and motivated and it's important to understand that the same solutions can't work for everyone. The results include improved group dynamics, reduced number of conflicts and increased respect towards team members, and above all increased results.
Planning your strategy with a group you trust will encourage and help each other is entirely different than just setting business goals. Having faith in your employees will be the most precious asset of your plans, as a motivated team that is able to work together smoothly will achieve the best results.
If someone is willing or even eager to learn and change, the process can be quite quick. One session might even be enough. However, you will have to want to do better, otherwise coaching is not the solution. Regardless of your problems being business-related or personal, concentrating on the solution takes great strength and determination.
People, by nature act in a way to fulfill their needs, whether this is emotional stability, attention, or having a purpose. A coach can step in to identify how each need can be fulfilled in a way it serves both the goal of the individual and the company.
Fluctuation might also be significantly reduced, indicating numbers can be halved while still achieving the best business performance. This spares the company the time, effort and money of looking for and training new employees. We always encourage our clients to invest in the talent they will want to keep in the long run and value them so that they want to stay at the company too.
Investing in a great coach guarantees your progress as a business or company will not be limited by malfunctioning teams or personal limitations. We encourage everyone to take the well-being of each employee seriously and to handle such matters transparently and respectfully. We found our conversation with Zsuzsa particularly insightful, and we hope it gained you some valuable perspectives as well. Don’t forget to visit her blog for more ideas!
