Boss Manager to Boss Coach

In my last essay, I wrote about how your career success depends on your boss giving you a chance to take on a bolder role by betting on your potential.

But to do that, your boss has to first transform from being your manager, to becoming your coach.

Coaching is about development where your boss looks at your problems as opportunities to develop.

Most of us are not aware of our own potential as reaching true potential requires working through adversity. It's by pushing through the discomfort that we overcome our fears and realise what we’re truly capable of. A coach can help us do that by encouraging us to stretch beyond our comfort zone.

As the legendary coach Bill Campbell said, ‘Coaching might be even more essential than mentoring to our careers and our teams. Whereas mentors dole out words of wisdom, coaches roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. They don't just believe in our potential; they get in the arena to help us realise our potential. They hold up a mirror so we can see our blind spots and they hold us accountable for working through our sore spots. They take responsibility for making us better without taking credit for our accomplishments.’

Leadership is about recognising that there's greatness in everyone and your boss’ #1 job is to develop people by creating an environment where that greatness can emerge (another Bill Campbell adage).

Coaching is what turns ordinary jobs into extraordinary careers. So as you explore ways to grow your career, work in companies that scale through people and not process. Don’t just settle for a boss manager. Find a boss coach who is committed to helping you get better at your craft.