Leaders who coach are creating better workplaces, and so can you. | Saba Imru-Mathieu | TEDxLausanne

Summary

This inspiring talk explores the power of coaching in transforming workplaces and lives. The speaker shares their personal journey from childhood dreams of becoming a queen to experiencing the hardships of being a refugee. Despite a successful career, they felt something was missing until a life-changing conversation with a coach. Through coaching, they discovered the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the workplace. Leaders who adopt a coaching approach foster a culture of collaboration, engagement, and respect, leading to better performance and fulfillment. The speaker encourages everyone to embrace coaching, whether at work or home, to create a more humane and productive environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker’s childhood dream was to become a queen, but life’s unexpected challenges led to a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
• 😀 A revolution changed the course of the speaker’s life, turning them into a refugee, and forcing them to navigate life without a home, identity, or plans.
• 😀 Despite the challenges faced, the speaker managed to build a fulfilling career, but still longed for a sense of purpose and contribution.
• 😀 Coaching was the turning point in the speaker’s life, helping them unlock their potential and reconnect with their original dream of making a meaningful impact.
• 😀 Research shows that only 15% of workers are truly fulfilled at work, highlighting a global crisis in employee engagement and job satisfaction.
• 😀 Workplace stress has serious consequences, increasing the likelihood of illness and mortality, with low engagement and job satisfaction leading to health problems.
• 😀 Employees want recognition, autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the workplace, not just material rewards. These are the fundamental needs for fulfillment.
• 😀 Leaders who use coaching skills naturally meet these fundamental needs by respecting employees’ autonomy, demonstrating faith in their competence, and engaging in meaningful dialogue.
• 😀 A coaching approach in leadership is centered on asking thoughtful questions rather than giving advice, which empowers employees to find their own solutions.
• 😀 Coaching fosters a more humane workplace where people thrive, feel recognized, and contribute to organizational success by using their full potential.
• 😀 Coaching can be learned by anyone, whether leaders, managers, or individuals, and applying simple coaching questions can significantly improve relationships and problem-solving.

Q & A

What was the speaker's childhood dream?

The speaker's childhood dream was to become a queen, believing it was their destiny.

How did the speaker's life change after the revolution in Ethiopia?

After the revolution, the speaker lost their country, home, identity, passport, and plans, becoming a refugee at the age of 17.

What did the speaker want to do after they built a new life as a refugee?

The speaker longed to contribute to the world and make a meaningful impact, despite having a stable career.

How did the speaker meet Albert and how did it impact their life?

The speaker met Albert, a scholar and coach, who asked them a life-changing question during a meeting, helping them shift their mindset and realize the possibilities in their life.

What is the current state of workplaces, according to the speaker?

Many workplaces today are characterized by low engagement, job dissatisfaction, unrelenting stress, scarce recognition, and poor relationships among colleagues.

What does research by the Gallup Institute reveal about global work satisfaction?

According to the Gallup Institute, only 15% of workers worldwide are fulfilled at work, indicating low engagement and job satisfaction.

What are the three fundamental needs that people need to feel fulfilled in the workplace?

The three fundamental needs are autonomy (the ability to make choices), competency (feeling capable and appreciated), and relatedness (feeling connected with others).

How do leaders who coach respect these fundamental needs?

Leaders who coach respect these needs by refraining from being directive, assuming that others can find solutions, and fostering a collaborative environment.

What distinguishes leaders who coach from those who don't?

Leaders who coach ask questions rather than give advice, enabling their employees to find their own solutions, thus honoring autonomy, competency, and relatedness.

What are the four coaching questions the speaker suggests to try in daily interactions?

The four coaching questions are: 'What do you really want?', 'Why is this important to you?', 'How will you go about it?', and 'When will you start?'