Making Everyday Conversations Extraordinary

I’m celebrating the openness, vulnerability, and boldness of delegates, both face-to-face and online, as they experience this challenging and richly rewarding programme.

It’s been fascinating and inspiring to share how leaders can learn to shift from mentor, teacher and all-round problem solver, to a coaching mindset which enables their teams to think and act for themselves. Of course, that can be an interesting challenge, particularly if offering quick-fire solutions and instructions have been your go-to leadership stances so far.

It’s been important to contextualise that coaching is one of many leadership skills needed, as well as when and how it can be used with impact. Building in real-life examples from the tutor’s and the delegate’s own experience has been vital, alongside the demos and input in the delivery style you’d expect from Barefoot.

Delegates experience what it’s like to give and receive real attention and deeply listen, to hold silence and be curious, to ask powerful questions and use some of our favourite coaching tools and models in a psychologically safe, adult learning environment.

The sessions give plenty of space for the delegates to learn, challenge (themselves and each other), practise and review. That in itself has been a revelation for some – what a luxury to have time for themselves to think, reflect and exercise their coaching muscles!

Each session brings new opportunities to consider what’s worked so far, what feels clunky, what impact their coaching conversations are having – personally and organisationally – and then to step outside their comfort zone and try the next new tool or technique.

One of the brightest lightbulbs has been how even short conversations can have such an impact on engagement and performance, when leaders are truly present, actively listening, and asking better questions. Brilliant!

By Clare Carpenter

Distillers of Knowledge Series

The first book in our Distillers of Knowledge Series, titled Leader as Coach has arrived! This glossy little book is packed full of coaching tools and conversation starters and has been designed for leaders who want to adopt more of a coaching approach in their day-to-day conversations at work. It is gifted to delegates taking part in our Leader as Coach Programme, and is also available separately from the Barefoot Store. Order your copy here.

Interested in how Barefoot can support you as a leader or your organisations leaders? Get in touch and let’s have a conversation.