From Janna Rust: Teach For Time

Have you ever thought about what your perfect world would look like? I think about it frequently, which motivates me most of the time, saddens me at times, and gets me in trouble on occasion.

In a perfect world, we would give instructions once, never having to repeat. In my perfect world, we wouldn't have to give instructions in the first place. People, including our friends and family, would be born with the ability to foresee problems and proactively address them.

In a perfect world, we as leaders would also always recognize that we ourselves aren't perfect, and have more patience with those who try our patience.

This month's issue will discuss how we can facilitate our perfect worlds through teaching. Join with me to get better so we can help others get better!

Teach on,

Janna

Janna Rust
Coach & Founder

Teach People to Think

It is not easy to teach people how to think, yet this skill is a must for effective leadership. It requires patience and foresight...and time. Yet if we don't teach others how to think for themselves, we waste time in the long run because those under our "wings" will be forever dependent upon us for answers.

A leader who doesn't teach stunts his own personal growth and destines himself to the "same old, same old". This type of leader "teaches" people how to be forever followers.

Whether they realize it or not, I believe the best leaders teach people to think by following a coaching model. Coaching and leadership go hand in hand. Coaching is a teaching model.

Let's take a look at how coaching competencies involve a form of teaching.

1. Listening - Through the gift of listening, leaders demonstrate humility and respect.

2. Creating Awareness - Great questions create learning because they encourage thinking.

3. Planning and Goal Setting - A good action plan teaches us to stretch beyond what we might ordinarily think possible.

4. Managing progress and accountability - Done well, accountability teaches us to celebrate success and improve our processes.

When we teach others to think through a coaching model, we ask rather than tell and listen more than lecture. We free ourselves up to blaze new trails and build up our followers in the process. As leaders, teaching the way a coach teaches is a win-win for everyone concerned!

What will you do today to teach like a coach?

Practically Teaching: A Three Step Method

Leaders must make time to teach so they can save time they do not have.

Today skilled minds are worth more than skilled hands. Because everyone is caught up in the race of playing catch-up with too much to do with too little time, leaders must teach people how to think to save time in the long run.

Leaders who can't teach people how to think will be forever challenged with how long to "hand hold" their staffs or volunteers.

How effective are you at teaching people how to think for themselves?

Try this process the next time someone comes to you for answers. Ask them:

1. What do you want to accomplish?

2. What do you need to know, do, or have to accomplish it?

3. What will you do to move forward once you have what you need?

Facilitate the discussion, ask questions to dig deeper into their initial responses and watch those mind wheels turn!

Remember, teaching takes time, but saves time in the long run. Your time is worth the time.

Note: If you tried the above exercise, please write me to share your experience. I love hearing from you!

As a Certified Professional Behavior, Values & TriMetrix Analyst, I can help you or your organization develop leadership skills that will contribute to the "bottom line" through the use of the DISC, Motivators, Personal Talent Skills Inventory and TriMetrix Benchmarking assessments. Contact me for details at 913-219-7844.