To Strengthen Others, Empower Them
This chapter in Kouses and Posner I feel is one of the most important in leading others. I have listed below some of the important take away quotes:
Each member of the group brings value to the team and no one is “smarter or
better than anyone else” (p. 249)
Leaders “enable others to take ownership of and responsibility for their group’s
Success” (p.250)
“Creating a climate in which people are fully engaged and feel in control of their
own lives is at the heart of strengthening others” (p.250)
“Leaders move from being in control to giving over control to others, becoming their coaches and teachers”
This chapter is very similar to the basic philosophy of co-active coaching, the program I am currently enrolled in. In coaching, the client is believed to be whole and complete. They have nothing that is broken or needs fixing and they have the answers or can find the answers within themselves. All the coach does is asks pertinent questions and invites the client/employee to discover the answers. (Co-Active Coaching by Laura Whitworth, Karen Kimsey-House)
K&P discusses using coaching methods recommended by Marshall Goldsmith a well- known executive coach on a monthly basis. While I like the suggestion to use these questions, I think the authors have overlooked the importance of using these questions or other empowering questions on a daily or weekly basis to help leaders to bring employees to self-discovery and to strengthen the organization is general. Used more often they become a part of every one’s behavior and positive productive interchange for the organization will be the result. This could be compared to parenting. Positive parenting needs to be done all the time not just once a month.
I feel the authors could have included many other examples of how questions are useful and can be used. This would have been more helpful to the reader than the 6 that were listed. Questions in coaching are used to clarify (What do you mean?), elaborate (What other ideas do you have?), assess (How does it look to you?) anticipate (What is possible?), evaluate (What is the opportunity here?). The list of questions goes on to help integration, explore etc. (Co-Active Coaching by Laura Whitworth, Karen Kimsey-House)
I think the importance of questioning used by coaches to empower was minimized and could have added much more to the how to’s of the chapter. When I reflect on the people I have enjoyed conversing with and being led by, the ones I remember most, met me with non-judgmental questions. Their approach made me think and draw from within or made me investigate the resources from without to come up with the answers.
I am reminded of the 17th verse (Living as an Enlightened Leader p. 77) of the Tao Te Ching from Wayne Dyer’s book, “Change your thoughts, Change your life; Living the Wisdom of the Tao.”
The great leader speaks little
He never speaks carelessly
He works without self interest and leaves no trace
When all is finished, the people say,
“We did it ourselves”
Who in your life and work asks you non-judgmental questions, that empower you and helps you grow stronger?
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