When I train and certify new coaches, many of them are after one thing- what is the plan of action I can give my client that will actually work? Likewise, when working with leaders of teams, it’s developing a leadership plan.

Both coaches and leaders need a leadership plan of action if you want to achieve results.

Of course, results get referrals.  If you, as a coach,  aren’t delivering results, you won’t have a business at all.  Similarly, a leadership plan of action will include accountability as a key component for leading your team. 

A leadership plan of action that doesn’t work can be worse than no plan at all.

Everytime we set out to do something and fail to achieve it, we open the door to thoughts of self-doubt that tell us things like, “You’ll never figure this out.”  “Why can’t you follow through?”  “You’re not the type of person that can achieve this.” 

Three signs that a plan of action is likely to fail, and the solutions to turn that around.

1. The leadership plan of action is put in place for a second time with a simple recommendation to make it happen.

There are always reasons why a leadership plan didn’t work the first time.  Without assessing those reasons and finding solutions, you’ll find yourself with a second failed attempt, and a pile of doubt right alongside it.  

The reasons why plans don’t work are related to things like ineffective thought patterns, emotions, tangible roadblocks with no solution, or personal fears. If you want a plan to work the second time around, you’ve got to take the time to find specific solutions. In Coach Certification and Leadership Training we dive deep into these different areas.  The more you can understand the root of the problem - often related to the psychology behind behaviors - the more equipped you are to find the right solutions. 

2. The leadership plan feels overwhelming so you’re encouraging your client or team with the right mindset.

Yes, the right mindset can do wonders!  However, your client or team will likely bounce back and forth between being overwhelmed and trying to harness the positive mindset, with little traction. 

Take the time to break the plan down into small, doable steps. This allows a strategy to minimize the feelings of overwhelm. With the right mindset in place too - that’s a good indication that you’re set up for success. 

3. The leadership plan challenges the skill set of your client, but doesn’t include proper support.

As a coach, especially if you’re doing deep, personal work with your clients, you are likely challenging their nervous system and window of tolerance. While we can encourage our clients to change thought patterns or beliefs, if it challenges them in a way internally that they aren’t prepared for, it won’t work. This will only lead to discouragement and reinforce thoughts that they can’t change. 

Thus the focus on the nervous system in Coach Certification and Leadership Training and in Master Coach Certification too.  With a good leadership plan, you will be ready to give your clients the skills they need to accomplish what you’re asking of them. 

As a leader, the more you can do to communicate with your team about what skills they have and what they need, the more capable you’ll be of giving them the right guidance and support. Believe it or not, just asking the question can help them to face underlying fears they have and naturally shift their brain to thinking of solutions.  

This work is not one and done

Revisit these 3 tips time and again. As you do, this will become a natural way of thinking for you. Your clients or team members will also start to think with more solutions in mind. It has a powerful ripple effect, which is exactly why coaching and leadership are so powerful. 

If you’re ready to dive deep into your own leadership abilities and build your skills as a coach, leader or mentor, click here to apply for Coach Certification and Leadership Training.  If you’re already a coach looking for mastery level, you can click here to apply for comprehensive Master Coach Training.