If we don’t invest in the Leaders we are coaching, who will? There are 3 main ways we can invest in Leaders:

Invest your TIME in the Leader you are coaching

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time…” – Ephesians 5:15-16

By giving your time to the Leader, you are communicating that you care about and for them. You can invest your TIME by meeting one-on-one with the leader, calling them on the phone, inviting them to join you in your day-to-day activities, and praying for them.

ASK YOURSELF:

• “How am I investing my time in the leader I am coaching?”

• “What rhythm do I have to keep me accountable to invest my time in them?”

Invest your TALENTS in the leader you are coaching

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10

God has created us all in unique ways. You have strengths you can use to invest in the leader that you are coaching.

ASK YOURSELF:

• “What talents do I have that the leader that I am coaching could benefit from?”

• “How am I investing my talents in the leader I am coaching?”

• “How could I better invest in the leader I am coaching with the talents that God has given me?”

Invest your TREASURES in the Leader you are coaching

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matt. 6:21

We typically think of resources as our own. But God has given us resources so we can love and serve others.

ASK YOURSELF:

• “What resources do I have that I can use to invest in the leader that I am coaching?”

• “How am I currently investing my treasures in the leader I am coaching?”

• “How could I better invest the resources that I have in the leader I am coaching?”

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

We call these 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

We call these 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

We call these Truthful Conversations. It’s hard for any Leader to see that they might be the one holding things back. 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.

Have you ever felt like you were all alone in something? It can be defeating. Maybe you have thought that it would be easier just to quit. We need to hold each other up, supporting one another. Here are some practical ways to do that…

Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

• Pray for their relationship with Jesus

• Pray for their marriage

• Pray for their children

• Pray for their ministry

• Pray that they would be fully equipped (2 Timothy 3:17)

Check their “RPM’S”

RPM’S conversations provide accountability and encouragement in four key areas of the leader’s life:

• Relational

• Physical

• Mental

• Spiritual

We all need someone to check how we are doing. Start by asking them how they are doing in each of the areas, it is that simple. Don’t be afraid to push them if you feel like they are giving the easy answers. Once you have an idea of where they are at, ask them what they are going to do about it. We all want to be healthy, but without a plan, it will just be a want.

Ask “The 6 Coaching Questions”

The simplest and yet most effective way to have a Leadership Coaching Conversation, is by a coach simply asking the following 6 questions when they meets with a leader…

• How are you? Since the heart of effective coaching is relational, starting with this question helps to see how the leader is really doing.

• Where/how are you winning? This question helps start the conversations with where the leader is feeling successful. It provides an opportunity for encouragement.

• What challenges are you experiencing? This questions gives the leader an opportunity to talk about the things where development, help, or guidance may be needed in their life or leadership.

• How will you tackle those challenges? The best way to serve a leader is not to solve their problems for them, but to help them tap into the wisdom and insight God has already given them. This question helps the coach draw those answers/solutions out of the leader.

• How can I help you? This question helps a coach discern if/how they can help the leader.

• How can I pray for you? The best way to wrap up a leadership coaching conversation is to ask the leader how they need prayer, and then to take a few moments to pray.

Help navigate difficult situations (resolve conflict)

• Talk to them about the situation, nothing worse than feeling alone in your situation (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

• Pray with your Leader for the difficult situation (Matthew 5:44)

• Encourage your Leader to go directly to the source (Matthew 18:15)

• If that doesn’t resolve the issue, approach the situation with your leader (Matthew 18:16)

• If that doesn’t resolve the issue, bring the issue to your Ministry Leader (Matthew 18:17)