Coaching and mentoring - Lessons in Excellence
In the present context, it is the coach or the mentor who is tasked with performing the critical part of a guru’s role – a role that now assumes higher value and worth.
Amongst the multi-faceted roles that a “guru” was supposed to perform in the primordial times, probably the most life impacting one was that of an adviser and guide. The fundamental purpose of this role was to “enable” to “empower” – to provide all the building blocks needed by the disciple to take decisions, create strategies, solve problems and display situation-appropriate behavior when faced with challenging situations.
In the present corporate context, it is the coach or the mentor who is tasked with performing this critical part of a guru’s role - a role that now assumes higher value and worth. This has been validated by ongoing global empirical research. According to a study conducted by Quinn and Rohrbaugh (1983), unlike the past, leaders of today face constant change, ambiguity and contradictions. Theories talk about shift from managerial competencies to leadership competencies, development of intelligence beyond IQ and balance between contradictory roles such as internal focus versus external focus, flexibility versus control etc. The probability of success in this environment is based on two critical factors; Ability to adapt and change & Openness to learning and development.
Our formal learning systems do not focus enough on equipping professionals for the challenges that work and life throw up. This coupled with insufficient training and development plans results in increased demands on leaders to develop such skills on their own. In such a scenario, appropriate coaching and mentoring could become the panacea for managers to work through the complexilities of change. Effective coaching / mentoring, where a coach or mentor's abilities are aligned to the goals of the coached (or mentored) has helped individuals maximize their potential and navigate their careers in the desired direction.
This is about giving back or "Paying It Forward" in Platinum's parlance. Over 2 decades in management, business, and "helping" relationships, the objective is to encompass a wider and diverse audience.
Here's to your personal and professional success.
Sincerely,
Sadhana Somasekhar,
Managing Director