The Fundamentals of a Coaching Culture

I just returned from a terrific conference for master coaches were we had the opportunity to be in dialogue with Brian Johnson, the creator of PhilosophersNotes. If you aren’t familiar with Philosopher’s Notes I highly recommend that you check it out.  Tag line:  More wisdom in less time.  Brian has summarized the “big ideas” from one hundred self-development books into six-page PDFs and 20-minute MP3s, where he shares his insights with a joyful and infectious enthusiasm.  

One of the “big ideas” Brian shared at the conference that particularly resonated for me was the reminder that its consistency around the fundamentals that separates great performance from the merely good.  Great performers in all areas give their attention and focus to mastering the foundational skills upon which their performance is based.  I know this from my experience as a dancer.  There’s a reason every dance class begins with bar exercises – whether you’re just starting out or are a professional dancer – you begin with the foundational skills. 

That got me thinking about the “fundamentals” for a coaching culture.  What are the foundational things that an organization needs to do consistently to create and maintain a culture where ongoing development, collaboration and creativity are part of the essential ethos of the experience?

Here’s my list:

Listen for meaning

The old adage that you will hear what you listen for is true.  Most organizations I’ve encountered have very poor listening habits.  Most are lucky if they listen well enough to accurately glean the information that is being conveyed, let alone the underlying meaning that is always present but rarely perceived.