TRANSITION COACHING FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Transition coaching helps a new leader achieve three critical goals in a short time
TOP executive's smooth transition from second in command to chief executive officer is critical to a company's performance. The company depends on leaders to execute and meet objectives and believes that internal candidates are better value at less risk.
Organisations understand that successful transitions ensure future capability. Transition coaching is the key to achieving this.
Many newly placed executives fail within their first two years in the position for reasons ranging from their inability to adjust to a new role and develop strong relationships to a lack of understanding of the business imperatives. What new leaders do during their first months in a new role greatly determines the extent of their success for the next few years.
An unsuccessful transition can impact negatively on an organisation through poor financial results, decreased employee morale and costly turnovers. So rather than risk this sink-or-swim gamble, organisations can improve the process with transition coaching.
SPEED IT UP
If organisations use the right transition strategies when on-boarding a leader, they will not only help prevent failure, but will also create additional value by accelerating the new leader's effectiveness.Transition coaching engages the new leader in the organisation's corporate strategy and culture to accelerate performance. Unlike executive coaching, transition coaching is time-bound and relatively short-term.
Transition coaching has three overall goals:
-To accelerate the transition process by providing just-in-time advice and counsel;
-To prevent mistakes that may harm the business and the leader's career; and
-To assist the leader in developing and implementing a targeted,actionable transition plan that delivers business results.
CHART A PLAN
While many of the issues covered by transition coaching are similar to those included in executive coaching, such as sorting through short- and long-term goals, and managing relationships upwards as well as with team members, transition coaching is focused specifically on the transition period and designed to educate and challenge new leaders.The new leader and coach will work together to develop a transition plan — a road map that will define critical actions that must take place during the first 24 weeks to establish credibility, secure early wins and position the leader and team for long-term success.The transition coaching relationship also includes regular meetings with the new leader as well as ongoing feedback. Frequently, the coach conducts a "pulse check" of the key players—including the boss, direct reports, peers and other stakeholders — after six to eight weeks to gather early impressions so that the new leader can make a course correction if needed.
BRING OUT THE BEST
The entire transition coaching process provides new leaders with the guidance to take charge of their new situation, achieve alignment with the team and, ultimately to move the business forward. Organisations make a significant investment when they recruit and hire new leaders. They have much to lose if a new hire does not succeed, possibly losing several time: the hire's basic remuneration. Whether an executive is moving into a new position or looking to get back on the road to success, executive and transition coaching work to bring out the best in people through the support of a professional relationship.
Both relationships are built on a foundation of trust and confidentiality. The ability of coaches to provide leaders with an outside resource that can also act as a sounding board helps them become the successful leaders they were meant to be. Organisations must clearly define the purpose of coaching, gauge the process and evaluate results. Coaching is not just about providing support.
Ultimately, coaching should deliver what any business needs-real results
