Linking Coaching with Business Strategy
Effective and timely coaching can make the development and
implementation of a business strategy less daunting and more successful. This
statement is especially true in an environment that is highly competitive, fast
paced, and uncertain.
Senior managers who want their initiatives to succeed often
seek internal and external facilitators to add value with new insights, and
provocative inquiry that can increase individual accountability. Coaching people
to break old habits, stimulate creative thinking, and establish an integrated
process that sets clear ways to achieve sustainable results and increased
profits is essential to business strategy development. Research supports the
results-driven value of applying the expertise of an Industrial and
Organizational Psychologist in coaching individuals and teams during the
business strategy development process.
Several of the well established elements required for
building a successful business strategy include:
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Gathering data from diverse perspectives.
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Thinking creatively.
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Encouraging the participation and involvement of key
resources.
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Providing for a focused dialog for consensus building
and realistic implementation planning.
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Assuring disciplined and outcome-focused
implementation.
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Having competent leaders and managers who guide the
effort and monitor results, and
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Being flexible, with a willingness to re-evaluate based
on performance feedback, and making necessary changes throughout the process
in order to get the desired results.
The Value of Coaching
Coaching during the planning process. Coaching to
increase management competencies and practices that facilitate the planning
process can have a positive impact in making strategy development and
implementation achievable with confidence, efficiency, and full use of
organizational resources. Coaching can be applied during any phase of business
strategy development. Preparing the team for strategy development provides
opportunities for individual and team coaching designed to maximize outcomes,
establish clear roles and relationships, and ensure that new and existing
competencies contribute to measurable results.
Coaching during the implementation process. Coaching
executives and managers to the next levels of contribution and confidence
provides an important developmental opportunity during the implementation phase
of business strategy. Implementation is more efficient with coaching in
effective communication and negotiating skills, in setting objectives and
expectations for change, in reviewing specific techniques for running the
business from sales to finance, in building consensus and buy-in for key
decisions, in enhancing team problem solving, and in using feedback to improve
the entire business planning process.
Sometimes business strategies require that new competencies
be acquired in time to implement the strategic initiatives. New business lines,
new products and services, and greater leadership team effectiveness practices,
are more likely to be integrated into business functions with tailored and
focused coaching for both individuals and teams. Senior executives can create
the environment that encourages self-development and use of coaches during the
entire process of business planning and implementation.
The Value of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists
Generally, industrial and organizational psychologists have
extensive knowledge and experience in leadership development, measurement, and
organizational dynamics. Industrial and organizational psychologists,
therefore, understand executive leadership and what it takes to guide an
organization to continued high performance and success. As coaches and advisors,
they transfer this knowledge into management practices and competencies that can
make a positive difference in achieving success. Some I-O psychologists with
significant profit and loss experience can also coach individuals to apply
analytical/management tools related to marketing and sales strategy
implementation, measuring and assessing operational performance, asking the
thought provoking "what if questions, designing incentive systems, and
enhancing manufacturing productivity. These are all the skills and abilities
that contribute to successful business strategy implementation.
Some of the benefits of coaching that researchers and
company executives have regularly identified as substantially relevant to
improved business strategy development and implementation include:
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A greater sense of confidence in both facilitating the
decision process and effectively getting the tough decisions made
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The ability to motivate people to exceed expectations
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A better understanding of teamwork and shared
accountability
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A clear focus on what's needed for success
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Realistic and understandable implementation and
contingency planning
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Development of appropriate competencies needed for
success and greater competitive advantage
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Less wasted time and fewer delays for competing in a
tough market place
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A shortened time horizon between planning and
results
Industrial and organizational psychologists are uniquely
positioned to add considerable value by building on the strengths of the
leadership team to prepare for, facilitate, and increase performance in all
phases of important business initiatives. Their knowledge of behavior and
business functions can increase individual and team effectiveness.
To find industrial and organizational psychologists who can
provide specific coaching to develop important competencies and processes for
your organization's business success, visit our website www.siop.org.
Youll see first hand the benefits of coaching from an industrial and organizational
psychologists perspective and expertise.
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