In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath explore the power of coaching and reflective inquiry. Brent and Matt discuss Marcia Reynolds' book, Coach the Person, Not the Problem, diving into the art of reflective inquiry and its impact on leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding individual limitations and embracing discomfort for growth.

The hosts delve into practical applications of coaching, emphasizing the need for psychological safety and breaking through mental blocks. Matt shares personal experiences with improv and coaching, revealing strategies for aligning teams and fostering self-awareness. He also highlights the benefits of shifting from offering advice to asking questions.

Ultimately, the episode underscores the significance of defining achievable next steps and creating a supportive environment where team members can thrive. Matt and Brent explore how effective coaching can unlock potential, improve team dynamics, and drive better results by moving individuals out of their comfort zones.

Books mentioned in the episode:
Coach the Person, Not the Problem by Marcia Reynolds 
How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs 
The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clay Christensen
The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier 

Host-at-a-Glance
💡 Name: Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath

Key Insights

Defining Achievable Next Steps Is Crucial

All too often, leaders have great conversations with their teams, but fail to see real change happen. This is because the conversation doesn't lead to action. Ensuring coaching sessions are truly valuable means defining achievable next steps the individual can action. This allows team members to see the work that's available to them, in the near term, and not to be overwhelmed. More importantly, it’s the manager's responsibility to facilitate conversations with their team members and allow them to explain what they’ve learned in their own words. When team members or employees use their own words, it’s much easier to see if there’s alignment between the leaders and team members. Lastly, managers should avoid trying to boil the ocean and instead focus on one thing at a time.

Reflective Inquiry Unlocks Potential

Traditional coaching methods often rely on asking questions, but reflective inquiry goes deeper. The key difference is instead of simply asking questions, reflective inquiry focuses on reflecting the client’s words and emotions back to them, which prompts critical self-reflection and allows the individual to come to their own conclusions and overcome barriers. The approach helps the individual come to a place of understanding. It avoids telling them what to do or how to think, and instead allows them to find their own solutions, which are more likely to stick. By mastering this skill, leaders can empower their teams to navigate challenges and achieve greater success.

Embrace Discomfort for Growth

Personal and professional growth rarely happens within one's comfort zone. Many people walk through life in a fog of thoughts, but leaders can create real progress and breakthroughs by helping their team members lean into uncomfortable situations. Whether it's the member of a CEO peer group recognizing that they need the pressure of being held accountable to succeed, or it's getting better at managing a team member who is underperforming, it all starts by accepting the initial discomfort and leaning into it.