Project leaders do often face multifaceted demands: They are to achieve ambitious and partly unrealistic goals with scarce human and financial resources. They have to lead employees without being their direct manager. They have to be an expert although they are not fully experienced in all subject areas. They have to be constantly approachable by sponsor, client, team members. And usually time is short. How can you cope with this?
The word coaching contains in its root “coach” – the carriage. Considering that coaching is always used in development or change processes, this picture is very appropriate. Like a coachman, the coach picks up the project manager at the individual starting point with the appropriate vehicle. But the project manager is not sitting passively in the coach, his place is on the carriage rack. There he has the reins firmly in his hand. The coach gives him tips and feedback to become more confident in dealing with his tasks and to bring the coach, i.e. the project, to the goal that was agreed in advance.
This is how we usually would work:
Our coaches are specialists in project management. They have all successfully completed several years of training and have extensive project experience. Their overarching coaching methods take inspiration from systemic organizational consulting, transaction analysis, “Gestalt” behavioral therapy and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Our work is resource-oriented, respectful and, of course, confidential. We are always targeting constructive solutions and provide valuable support on your journey to success.
Personal coaching supports you individually and tailored to your needs in your very specific situation. In conflict and stressful situations coaching means personal, close and reliable support to the individual and the functional owner.
The coach helps with role clarification, with reflection and reorientation, with letting off steam and with rediscovering understanding for others. He or she encourages, aids the discovering of new perspectives, sometimes disagrees and serves as a sparring partner for the testing of ideas and initiatives.
Coaching is just as helpful to an old hand as it is to a young project leader working on his or her first large project.