“People tend to be stronger in one or two of those areas and weaker in the others. We need to identify our weak areas and work on strengthening them.”
To do that, you must ask yourself: “Are you a head, heart or hands leader?” Trautlein identifies three of the seven CQ leader styles, their strengths, weaknesses, and a coaching suggestion for each:
The Coach (heart-dominant):
Strengths:
• Encourages people to join in discussions, decisions
• Steps in to resolve process problems, such as conflict
• Listens to all viewpoints
• Recognizes and praises others for their efforts
• Helps reduce stress by lightening the mood
Weaknesses:
• Sees team process and organizational climate as ends in themselves
• Fails to challenge or contradict others
• Does not recognize the importance of accomplishing tasks
• Overuses humor and other conflict-mitigation techniques
• Does not emphasize long-range planning
Coaching: Make connections with people but also connect them with the mission. Don’t allow engagement to take precedence over performance.