How to coach your boss - Part 1

"Can I coach my boss?"

I often get this question. People often mean it as a joke, but I always seriously reply 'Yes, with asterisk'.

We can't necessarily apply the coaching *process* ("I would like to coach you on this boss; what goal for this conversation would you have?"). However, nothing stands in our way of using coaching skills with our manager, such as Active Listening.

Today's newsletter is part 1 of 2 in the mini series about how to use coaching skills with your own manager.

We will start with what is in our control in terms of how we can positively influence our own manager. A foundation for this is the positive assumption of reciprocity. That means that unless your Manager is a sociopath, these acts and behaviors are likely returned and (re)build trust.

So here are 10 things that we control that are valuable to any boss*.

1️⃣ Deliver the work to standard or even above.

2️⃣ Work in such a way that your manager does not have to worry about your area.

3️⃣ Take into account political factors that you're aware of that impact your manager/

4️⃣ Be a good listener and sounding board to your boss.

5️⃣ A source of information from areas of the organization that you manage does not have access to.

6️⃣ Keep your boss informed early about problems.

7️⃣ Represent your best interest accurately to other parts of the organization.

8️⃣ Be a source of creativity, initiative and ideas.

9️⃣ Defend your bosses decisions to your own subordinates.

🔟 Provide support and encouragement where appropriate.

🔴 Now, I have a fun exercise for you: Go through the entire list again and negate the items, i.e. what would happen if you did exactly the opposite?

I am the first to admit that I showed some of those negative behaviors, and I saw immediately the kind of horrible impact they will have on the relationship.

The learning from all this?

'Coaching' a manager starts with us and our attitude towards our manager. If we don't bring ourselves in and believe in their ability to help us and support us, we are part of the problem not the solution.

*I took some inspiration from a similar list in Bradford & Cohen's book 'Influence without Authority. Highly recommended!