Many of my coaching sessions begin with a work-related issue that a leader is facing. They often delve into many aspects of what is happening without much thought whether or not they are addressing the real problem. There may even be an acknowledgment that AI was part of their analysis of the challenge they want to solve, never even considering the possibility that perhaps the real problem has never been clearly defined. Sure, the leader may be under a time crunch to find a solution in short order. Yet, what happens if they resolve an incorrect problem? That will end in a definite disaster. But figuring out what needs to be solved in the first place, that’s still a very human skill and one where coaching can make all the difference.
Leaders work in an environment that rewards speed and action. They often feel the pressure to move fast, fix things quickly, and show results. With AI tools just a click away, it’s easy to dive into “solution mode.” But here’s the catch: solving the wrong problem gets you nowhere. Here’s where a coach comes in.
Here are five ways a coach can help leaders define the true problem:
1. Slow Things Down
Coaches don’t solve problems the way a consultant might. A coach helps leaders think more clearly, dig a little deeper, and get to the heart of what’s going on. Coaching gives leaders space to explore the bigger picture and what’s really behind the surface-level frustration and why a leader is feeling stuck. Through coaching conversations different perspectives can emerge that a leader may want to explore.
2. Clarify Your Direction
A leader might come into a coaching session focused on getting buy-in for a new initiative. But with the coach’s help, they realize the real issue is that they are not feeling fully heard. They might be unclear about their own priorities and direction. The leader may be trying to get everyone on board without truly owning where they want to go. Some outcomes of coaching are:
- Clearly identifying the problem and determining the best direction.
- Being able to name the priorities which can add credence to a project.
- Mapping out why a leader is choosing a certain path which is key to having others join in.
3. Challenge Your Self-Limiting Beliefs
One of the most impactful ways that a leader can identify the real problem at hand is by taking a look at their belief system. Oftentimes leaders get fixated on what they sense is happening based on their past experiences or work crises. Challenging an old pattern or belief that keeps tripping them up can open up new possibilities. AI can’t help with that in the same way a coach can. A coach can help a leader explore their inner beliefs and even test if those beliefs are still serving a leader in a positive way. These self-limiting beliefs create stories that are no longer relevant or important to a leader and need to be rewritten.
4. Move From Fixing To Reframing
The most transformative coaching doesn’t solve problems but rather reframes them. It challenges the very way the problem is being expressed. Some of the strategies to consider in a coaching session are:
- Is this really the problem?
- What’s underneath it?
- What’s in my control?
- What stories am I telling myself that might not be true?
These questions are the precursors to clarity. And clarity is power, not just for the leader, but for the entire team.
5. Co-Create New Goals
The final step after naming a problem accurately is creating goals that are meaningful and strategic for leaders to begin their exploration. The leader steers the boat and the coach rows alongside of them. When a leader establishes clear goals with specific ways to measure them, they are able to feel more confident that they are tackling the right problem in the best way.
Are you dealing with a challenge that feels overwhelming? Could you use some support from a coach? Just click here to check out the possibility.