“A” is for Amping up Human Interactions
As a leadership coach and coach trainer, I help folks to deepen relationships with their direct reports, clients, colleagues and partners. The following are the foundational 3 “A’s” from the Assenter Coaching framework to create a safe and supportive environment. As in all things we offer at Assenter Coaching, this tool serves as a “2-fer.” Feel free to employ it to sharpen the saw of your own coaching as a leader and pay it forward by sharing it with your team to enhance communication.
Agenda Off: Approach each engagement completely blank and in service of what this person desires to achieve. Hint: Keep one blank piece of paper handy for any initial meeting. This reminds us to simply listen prior to offering anything consultative. As the spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson conveys, “You are the faucet, not the water.” The most powerful coach is a conduit for learning and growth. It’s far more powerful to get a person to tap into the answers that already reside within them.
Attention Out: This is associated with the active listening in the first “A.” Stay fully connected and present while keeping your commentary to a minimum. Most people are not typically given a forum in which to be fully seen and heard. As in meditation or any other mindfulness practice, it is normal for our mind to wander. The good news is that laser focus and the art of self-management become easier over time.
Appreciation On: Among the greatest gifts we can impart are non-judgmental compassion and empathy. Here, the mindfulness attitude of gratitude is a true superpower. Identifying even one thing to appreciate about another person makes us more apt to partner with her or him. In this space, we refuse to collude with others around failure, and we see limitless possibilities instead. People flourish here!
Multiple executives whom I have coached have employed the 3 “A’s” from their meetings to boardrooms with great success. Their people often report feeling more close-knit and energized by their peers and leaders.
How can they help you for greater interpersonal engagement?
