Organizations are facing unprecedented levels of disruption and change, prompting leaders to rethink their strategies and approaches to management. In a recent episode of our Leadership Story Talks podcast, Jerome and Julienne had the pleasure of speaking with Greg Smith, a seasoned expert in executive coaching from Franklin Covey, who shared invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of leadership development.
Greg emphasized the importance of embedding leadership growth into the daily workflow rather than treating it as an isolated training event. He highlighted the need for intentionality in leadership development, suggesting that organizations must adapt to the hybrid workforce and the rise of generative AI. This shift requires leaders to cultivate genuine, empathic relationships with their teams, a skill that AI cannot replicate.
One of the key takeaways from their conversation was the significance of coaching as a strategic necessity rather than a mere perk. Greg explained that organizations must recognize coaching as a vital lever for enhancing executive capabilities, especially in times of rapid change. His coaching methodology, which boasts a remarkable success rate of over 97%, focuses on creating alignment, leveraging data for self-awareness, and facilitating critical behavior change.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own leadership journeys and the importance of surrounding themselves with high-performing individuals. Greg shared a powerful anecdote about a senior executive who, after undergoing coaching, was able to intervene in a critical meeting, ultimately saving the organization millions of dollars. This example underscores the tangible impact that effective coaching can have on both individual leaders and the organization as a whole.
As we look to the future, Greg reminded us that the responsibility for preparing leaders for upcoming challenges lies not only with HR departments but also with CEOs and COOs. It is essential for leadership teams to prioritize the development of critical human skills that will enable them to navigate complexity and drive change effectively.
Jerome and Julienne’s discussion with Greg Smith serves as a reminder of the pivotal role that coaching plays in leadership development. By embedding coaching into the fabric of organizational culture and fostering a mindset of continuous learning, leaders can thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
If you want to delve deeper into these insights and learn how to enhance your leadership skills, be sure to listen to the full episode HERE
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Our editorial team at Narativ is a group of experts led by CEO and business storytelling craftsman, Jerome Deroy. We aim to create educational and informative content relevant to the emerging trends in business leadership, sales, team building, and onboarding.