I’ve always had a philosophy of “meeting my clients where they’re at”. While I may see tremendous potential in taking a different approach, we will not be successful working together if I force my ways upon them when they may not be ready. More than that, I may be wrong. Yes, I said it… WRONG! Just because I have seen something be successful in other organizations doesn’t mean that I have the intimate knowledge of the inner workings of this current organization such that I know what is best for my client at this particular time.
Sure, my clients hire me and Plus Delta Consulting as a firm because we bring a certain expertise to the table. That expertise in isolation could be worthless though, maybe even devastating, if applied unilaterally. That expertise matched with the intimate knowledge of our internal client counterparts, however, is like a match made in heaven!
Typically, I start every engagement clarifying for my clients – just in case they haven’t realized it already… – that I will never know as much as they do about their organization. My role as a consultant and coach is to serve as a guide in offering new insights and direction to an organization. Our work together is like a journey, and some organizations choose to take the scenic route and make many stops along the way. Others may choose a more direct path to their final destination. Either way, my role is not to tell them where to go or how best to get there. Instead, my role is to provide a roadmap with a multitude of options to choose from along the way.
So what is your role as a leader and coach and mentor? Likely very similar! Not to give your direct reports and fellow team members “the answers” as you see them. Instead, your role is to provide guidance and support and encouragement as they determine how they would like to travel to their intended destination.
The fact that they may choose to make many stops to catch their breath, use the restroom, or enjoy some refreshments along the way does not make them wrong. It simply means they are taking a slower path – maybe because they want to, maybe because they don’t know any other way. I invite you to find ways to empower others with the lessons of your own experiences and journeys, rather than make them wrong for choosing a different way. Everybody is different. Everybody has unique perspectives. Matching yours with others is a delicate balance that, when done well, leads to greatness every day!
