Working with a leadership coach is one of the best ways to identify and develop leaders in your company. According to the International Society for Performance Improvement, leadership coaching has a 221% return on investment. An effective business strategy consultant supports positive leadership behaviors and helps create a clear plan everyone can accomplish together.
The first challenge, of course, is finding the right leadership coach. Choosing a leadership coach that fits into your organizational mindset for developing leaders can be a tricky task. Here are the key qualities of the best kind of business strategy consultant who will be the right fit for your organization.
Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
Mindset is extremely important when it comes to developing leaders. Do you know the difference between a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset?
A fixed mindset holds the belief that no matter how much you try, change is impossible or impractical. When someone has a fixed mindset, they’re not open-minded enough to embrace change and often make decisions based on fear and assumptions.
By contrast, a growth mindset welcomes the opportunity to learn more and try new things. Someone with a growth mindset accepts that others have things to teach them, so they remain a “student of life” who’s always looking to expand their understanding of the world. For developing leaders in an organization, a leadership coach with a growth mindset is ideal.
In a business setting, a fixed mindset is a leadership limiter, and a growth mindset is a leadership accelerator. It’s almost impossible for someone with a fixed mindset to serve effectively in the role of a leadership coach. That’s why so many successful business strategy consultants have plenty of experience putting their growth mindsets to good use.
Clarity in Focus
Vagueness and ambiguity are contrary to the clarity it takes to focus on your business goals. There’s little value in receiving general advice that doesn’t necessarily apply to your unique situation.
Look for a leadership coach who provides the focus and clarity your team needs. Many leadership coaches are capable of providing basic advice that would benefit any run-of-the-mill company, but you need an experienced pro who provides specific and individualized insights.
Remember, a business strategy consultant isn’t a magician. They’ll need your company’s help and effort to make the process worthwhile. Stay engaged with them and be prepared to answer questions that lead to revelations about how you do business and how things could be better.
Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking and strategic planning are essential skills for any great leadership coach. Your coach should be methodical in their thinking as they take systematic steps to help you identify and address pressing leadership and operational issues.
Examine your company’s existing strategic plan with your coach’s help and locate gaps that aren’t currently addressed. Set goals and timeframes for accomplishing new things, and work with your leadership coach to determine which roadblocks might be standing in the way.
When your leadership coach is a strategic thinker, they’ll help you proactively anticipate issues before they can become catastrophes. Strategic thinking also goes hand in hand with adaptability, which is addressed in more detail below.
Adaptability and Flexibility
A talented business strategy consultant uses an adaptive leadership style to adjust their techniques for each company they serve. When they encounter new information and fresh challenges, they make nimble course adjustments to stay on the path to success.
Some companies have problems that are so deeply ingrained that the company now has a dangerous or unhealthy culture. There could also be a period of extreme upheaval with a change in ownership, business focus, or the target market.
The leadership coach must be flexible enough to take these changes in stride. Everyone on your team needs extra support and guidance during tough times, so you need a coach you can trust to help you weather the storm successfully.
Leadership Coaching for Results
When you choose the right leadership coach, you’ll get the most out of your emerging leaders, your strategic plan, and your opportunities for long-term success. Support your staff by providing leadership skills and resources they need to build skills, confidence, and experience.
Leadership Resources provides collaborative leadership coaching programs individualized to each company and participant. For genuine and lasting change, experts recommend leadership development programs as opposed to ordinary training programs. That’s why Leadership Resources works with business strategy consultants who help companies develop effective long-term leadership development plans.
Do you already have an excellent leadership coach, or are you still searching for one? Reach out to Leadership Resources to be matched with a business strategy consultant who is the right fit for your business. We’re here to help you succeed!
