Merriam Webster defines inspire as "to spur on." Helping someone move from where they are to where they need to go. All Leaders get to a point where they need someone to give them a push in their leadership. A Coach can provide the right words "to spur on" a Leader. Below are some ways to inspire the Leader that you are coaching in their leadership.
Inspiring your Leader to believe in themself
In the Leadership Coaching Model, we call this Envisioning Conversations. Leaders need a coach to come alongside them, and with confidence say, “I see in you…”
They need to know that someone believes God has a big dream for them.
Think through what you see in the leader you are coaching.
Tell them what you see in them.
Inspiring your Leader to take action
In the Leadership Coaching Model, we call this Empowering Conversations: asking a leader to take the big next step on their leadership journey. We refer to these conversations as “making a big ask.” An “ask” is that pivotal conversation when a Coach asks a Leader to step up and lead in a more influential way.
An example of this could be to inspire a T-Life Group Leader to have a difficult conversation with someone in their group who is causing issues within their group. The Leader you are coaching may inform you that they are struggling with someone in their group, but you see they are not doing anything about it. You can help them see why they need to have that conversation and help them with how to have that conversation.
Inspiring your Leader when they don't want to face reality
It is hard for any Leader to see that they are the one holding things back.
In the Leadership Coaching Model, we call this Truthful Conversations: There are times when a Coach needs to have tough and truthful conversations with a Leader. Personal growth often requires honest conversations.
This isn't about correcting a Leader. This is about spurring them on past where they are.
If we don't have the hard conversations with the Leaders we are coaching, who is going to?
Inspiring your Leader when their team/group is stuck
Chances are the Leader you are coaching will have better ideas to move forward because they know the context they are serving in better than you do. They just might not see a way past where they are at. You can help them see past where they are at.
Questions to ask your Leader:
Where are you wanting your Team/Group to go? Get your leader to talk about where they wish they were.
What do you think is keeping your Team/Group from where you want to go? Pin-pointing the issue is key to understanding how to move forward.
What would it look like if your Team/Group was functioning in the way they should be? Dreaming about the future will make your Leader want to push through where they are at.
What is one thing that you could do help your Team/Group get to where you are wanting them to go? Focusing on the next step rather than the end goal will help move forward.
Inspiring your Leader to continue leading well
You may be looking at the categories above and be thinking that right now, the Leader that you are coaching doesn't really need to be inspired in any of those areas. At some point, they probably will. But, for now, you want to continue "to spur on" towards leading well.
If the teams/groups we are leading are not moving forward and growing, in the near future, they will move backward.
Celebrate where they are at and "spur them on" forward.
Click on this link to download the COACHING PLAN to INSPIRE in the leader you are coaching