Leadership coaching has become an invaluable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their skills, maximize their potential, and achieve their professional goals. A leadership coach serves as a trusted advisor, mentor, and guide, providing personalized support and guidance to help navigate challenges, develop critical competencies, and drive success.

Advisor and Mentor

One of the primary roles of a leadership coach is to serve as an advisor and mentor to their clients. Drawing on their expertise and experience, coaches provide valuable insights, perspectives, and guidance to help navigate complex situations and make informed decisions. Whether it’s overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities, or developing new skills, these experts offer practical advice and strategies tailored to the unique needs and goals of their clients. By serving as a trusted confidant and sounding board, coaches empower professionals to explore new possibilities and achieve their full potential.

Facilitator of Self-Discovery

Another core role of leadership coaching is to facilitate self-discovery and personal growth. Through reflective questioning, active listening, and experiential exercises, coaches help their clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their strengths, and areas for development. These experts encourage professionals to explore their values, beliefs, and motivations, enabling them to align their actions with their authentic selves and lead with greater clarity and purpose. 

Accountability Partner

Accountability is essential for driving progress and achieving goals, and a coach serves as a trusted accountability partner for their clients, helping individuals set specific, measurable, and achievable goals and hold them accountable for taking action and making progress towards their objectives. Through regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and progress assessments, these experts help their clients stay focused, motivated, and accountable for their commitments.Ā 

Skills Developer

A leadership coach also plays a crucial role in developing essential skills and competencies. Coaches assess their clients’ strengths and areas for development and design tailored coaching plans to enhance their capabilities. Whether it’s communication skills, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, or strategic thinking, coaches provide targeted feedback, resources, and exercises to help professionals build and refine their skills. Through practice, experimentation, and feedback, team leads develop the confidence and competence they need to lead effectively and inspire others to excel.

Champion of Growth and Transformation

Finally, leadership coaching serves as a champion of growth and transformation for their clients. Coaches believe in their clients’ potential to achieve greatness and support them in overcoming obstacles, embracing change, and realizing their aspirations. These experts challenge their clients to stretch beyond their comfort zones, confront limiting beliefs, and pursue bold ambitions. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, these gurus empower others to embrace change as an opportunity for growth and transformation, both personally and professionally.

Final Thoughts

Leadership coaching plays a vital role in supporting individuals on their journey to success. By serving as advisors and mentors, facilitators of self-discovery, accountability partners, skills developers, and champions of growth and transformation, coaches help others unlock their full potential, drive performance, and achieve their goals. Whether navigating challenges, developing new skills, or pursuing ambitious aspirations, leaders can rely on the guidance and support of a skilled expert to empower them on their path to greatness.

Leadersharp was formed because we believe that the world needs better leaders, and we can help. Leadersharp is a Canadian-based leadership coaching, training and consulting firm that works with companies nationwide to advance the development of leaders, teams and their organizations. Our expert team offers a variety of programs and engagements, including executive coaching, management training, custom course development and HR and Organizational Development consulting. By integrating a hands-on approach and advanced tools including Everything DiSC, Great Feedback, and The Leadership Circle Profile, we guarantee an exceptional experience and unparalleled results. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, our team is ready to help guide you to success. Get in touch today at [email protected], or (403)-719-0800.

In the fast-paced world of 2024, the workplace is a dynamic and demanding environment that significantly impacts our mental well-being. With five in five of us facing mental health challenges, it’s crucial to recognize the profound effect these issues have on our concentration, performance, creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, communication, and overall productive functioning ā€“ all essential skills needed for success at work.

The Interplay Between Work and Mental Health

Work is not just a means of earning a living; it plays a critical role in shaping our mental health. The demands and pressures of the workplace can influence our well-being, making it imperative for both employers and employees to prioritize mental health initiatives and leadership development.

Statistics Tell a Story

Alarming statistics underline the urgency of addressing mental health in the workplace. In Canada, one in five individuals experiences a mental illness annually. A staggering 35% of Canadians are currently experiencing burnout at work, with mental illness costing the Canadian economy a staggering $50 billion annually. Workplace costs alone account for $20 billion, averaging $1500 per employee due to mental illness.

The Impact of Mental Health on the Workplace

Mental health issues are a major contributor to short and long-term disability claims, constituting approximately 30% of all claims and a significant 70% of workplace disability costs. However, it’s not just about diagnosable illnesses; the absence of mental wellness is equally concerning. This state is characterized by dissatisfaction, lack of engagement or excitement, apathy, listlessness, and loss of interest, coupled with increasing levels of stress, work-life imbalance, disengagement, and job dissatisfaction.

Addressing Mental Health: A Holistic Approach

The good news is that numerous mental health and leadership development programs are available in Canada, offering a comprehensive and holistic approach to confidence and well-being. Awareness months and campaigns, such as Bell Letā€™s Talk, aim to reduce stigma and increase understanding surrounding mental health. Not Myself Today, an initiative by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), encourages workplaces to foster a culture of acceptance and support.

Training and Resources

To combat mental health challenges, training and leadership development programs are essential. Employees can benefit from resources designed to improve individual mental health, providing tools to manage stress, enhance resilience, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Equally important is training on how to support colleagues facing mental health issues, fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes empathy and understanding.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer valuable resources, including counseling services for employees facing mental health challenges. These programs are instrumental in providing support, guidance, and coping strategies to navigate the complexities of work-related stressors.

Accommodation Strategies and Return-to-Work Programs

Recognizing the diverse nature of mental health challenges, accommodation strategies and return-to-work programs are crucial. Employers should implement policies that allow for flexible work arrangements, recognizing that individuals may need different forms of support on their journey to recovery.

Final Thoughts

Thriving in the workplace in 2024 requires a collective commitment to prioritizing mental well-being. By acknowledging the statistics, understanding the impact of mental health on the workplace, and actively participating in mental health and leadership development programs, individuals and organizations can foster an environment that not only supports those with mental health issues but also promotes a culture of well-being, resilience, and productivity.

As we navigate the challenges of the modern workplace, let us prioritize mental health, ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to thrive both personally and professionally.

Leadersharp was formed because we believe that the world needs better leaders, and we can help. Leadersharp is a Canadian-based leadership coaching, training and consulting firm that works with companies nationwide to advance the development of leaders, teams and their organizations. Our expert team offers a variety of programs and engagements, including executive coaching, management training, custom course development and HR and Organizational Development consulting. By integrating a hands-on approach and advanced tools including Everything DiSC, Great Feedback, and The Leadership Circle Profile, we guarantee an exceptional experience and unparalleled results. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, our team is ready to help guide you to success. Get in touch today at [email protected], or (403)-719-0800.

Fact: the significance of collaborative leadership cannot be overstated. Gone are the days of hierarchical structures; today’s successful leaders understand that harnessing the collective strength of a team is key to achieving organizational goals. This blog explores the principles of collaborative leadership and executive coaching, and provides insights into how leaders can extract the most value from their teams.

Understanding Collaborative Leadership

Collaborative leadership is a management style that prioritizes cooperation, open communication, and shared decision-making. It recognizes that every team member brings unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table. Instead of relying solely on top-down directives, collaborative leaders tap into the collective intelligence of the team, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect.

Emphasize Open Communication

Effective collaboration begins with open communication. Leaders in executive coaching must create an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Regular team meetings, both formal and informal, provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and stay informed. Utilize digital communication tools to facilitate real-time collaboration, especially in remote or dispersed teams.

Establish a Clear Vision and Goals

Collaboration without direction can lead to confusion. A collaborative leader articulates a clear vision and sets achievable goals for the team. By aligning everyone with a shared purpose, individuals understand how their contributions contribute to the overarching objectives. This clarity fosters a sense of unity and collective responsibility.

Encourage Diverse Perspectives

Diversity, whether in terms of skills, background, or thought processes, is a powerful asset in collaborative environments. Leaders in executive coaching and development should actively encourage diverse perspectives and value the unique strengths each team member brings. This inclusivity not only enriches the team’s problem-solving capabilities but also promotes a culture of innovation.

Foster a Culture of Trust

Trust is the foundation of successful collaboration. Leaders need to build trust by being transparent, consistent, and reliable. Recognize and acknowledge individual contributions, and empower team members by delegating responsibilities based on their strengths. When team members trust their leader and each other, they are more likely to share ideas openly and take risks.

Provide the Right Tools and Resources

Collaboration is greatly enhanced by the availability of appropriate tools and resources. Invest in technology that facilitates seamless communication and project management. Whether it’s project management software, collaborative platforms, or communication tools, ensure that your team has access to the resources that streamline their collaborative efforts.

Lead by Example

Leadership is not just a title; it’s an action. Collaborative leaders lead by example, demonstrating the behavior and attitudes they expect from their team. Actively participate in collaborative efforts, listen attentively, and be open to feedback. When team members see their leader embracing collaboration, they are more likely to follow suit.

Final Thoughts

In the dynamic landscape of the 21st century workplace, collaborative leadership and executive coaching are not just buzzwords; theyā€™re strategic imperatives. By emphasizing open communication, establishing clear goals, encouraging diverse perspectives, fostering a culture of trust, providing the right tools, and leading by example, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams.

In doing so, they not only propel their organizations towards success but also create a work environment that is fulfilling, innovative, and resilient in the face of challenges. Collaborative leadership is the key to navigating the complexities of the modern workplace and achieving sustainable growth.

Leadersharp was formed because we believe that the world needs better leaders, and we can help. Leadersharp is a Canadian-based leadership coaching, training and consulting firm that works with companies nationwide to advance the development of leaders, teams and their organizations. Our expert team offers a variety of programs and engagements, including executive coaching, management training, custom course development and HR and Organizational Development consulting. By integrating a hands-on approach and advanced tools including Everything DiSC, Great Feedback, and The Leadership Circle Profile, we guarantee an exceptional experience and unparalleled results. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, our team is ready to help guide you to success. Get in touch today at [email protected], or (403)-719-0800.

Fostering diversity and inclusion is not only a moral imperative but a strategic advantage for businesses. Corporate leaders who prioritize these principles create environments that empower individuals to bring their authentic selves to the table, fostering innovation, and driving growth.

In this blog, we explore how cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion aligns with effective leadership and executive coaching efforts, and discuss the importance of psychological safety in this journey.

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Brave!

Why Diversity & Inclusion Matter in Leadership

Diversity encompasses more than just visible differences; it encompasses a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. When leaders champion the use of executive coaching to promote diversity, and inclusion, they tap into a wellspring of creativity and innovation that results from the collision of varied viewpoints. Teams with diverse backgrounds bring unique insights to problem-solving and decision-making, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Inclusion, on the other hand, is the active practice of ensuring that every individual feels valued, respected, and heard. Leaders who foster an inclusive environment empower team members to express their opinions without fear of reprisal, fostering collaboration and engagement. This leads to higher levels of job satisfaction, an increased ROI on executive coachingĀ  , reduced turnover, and increased productivity.

Developing a Culture of Diversity & Inclusion

  • Lead by Example: Leadership sets the tone for the entire organization. When leaders demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion through their actions, it sends a powerful message to their teams.
  • Set Clear Expectations: Make diversity and inclusion part of your organization’s values and mission. Clearly communicate these expectations to your team members and hold everyone accountable for upholding them.
  • Foster Open Communication: Encourage open dialogues about diversity and inclusion. Create safe spaces where employees can share their experiences and perspectives, fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Inclusive Hiring Practices: Implement inclusive hiring practices that emphasize skills, experiences, and potential over cultural background. This ensures a diverse pool of talent from which to choose.
  • Cultivate Mentorship & Sponsorship: Create mentorship and sponsorship programs that help underrepresented individuals advance in their careers. Providing guidance and opportunities for growth is key to creating a more inclusive workforce.
  • Educational Initiatives: Offer workshops, training, and resources that educate employees about unconscious bias, cultural competence, and the value of diversity in the workplace.

The Role of Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is the cornerstone of any successful executive coaching agenda and inclusive workplace. It’s the belief that one can voice their opinions, ideas, and concerns without fear of negative consequences. Leaders who prioritize psychological safety ensure that all team members have an equal opportunity to contribute, leading to enhanced collaboration and creativity.

  • Encourage Feedback: Create an environment where feedback is welcomed and encouraged. This empowers employees to share their insights, even when they might challenge the status quo.
  • Address Microaggressions: Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments or actions that marginalize individuals. Leaders should be vigilant in addressing and rectifying such behaviors.
  • Acknowledge Mistakes: Leaders who admit their own mistakes and learn from them create an atmosphere where others feel safe to take calculated risks without fearing humiliation.
  • Active Listening: Show genuine interest in others’ perspectives through curious questioning and appreciation of their willingness to bring forward an opinion. Active listening builds trust and demonstrates that you value diverse viewpoints.
  • Supportive Response: When team members voice their concerns, respond with empathy, and show willingness to collaborate on solutions. This reinforces psychological safety and demonstrates that their contributions matter.

Leadership Development & Beyond

As a leader, fostering diversity and inclusion isn’t just a checkbox to markā€”it’s a continuous journey that shapes your organization’s culture and impact on the world. By embracing diverse perspectives, including them asĀ  executive coaching themes and areas of focus , and fostering an inclusive environment, you unlock the potential for innovation and growth while nurturing a workforce that feels valued and empowered.

Remember that fostering diversity and inclusion isn’t just a one-time initiative; it’s an ongoing commitment that requires dedication, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn and evolve. As a leadership development and training company, we’re here to support your journey toward becoming a truly inclusive leader who empowers their team and drives sustainable success.

Leadersharp was formed because we believe that the world needs better leaders, and we can help. Leadersharp is a Canadian-based leadership coaching, training and consulting firm that works with companies nationwide to advance the development of leaders, teams and their organizations. Our expert team offers a variety of programs and engagements, including executive coaching, management training, custom course development and HR and Organiational Development consulting. By integrating a hands-on approach and advanced tools including Everything DiSC, Great Feedback, and The Leadership Circle Profile, we guarantee an exceptional experience and unparalleled results. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, our team is ready to help guide you to success. Get in touch today at [email protected], or (403)-719-0800.

Being an inspiring leader doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process of honing in on your own unique qualities and investing the time on self-development. Sure, being a leader requires having an aptitude for people management skills ā€“ but it also involves evolving how you show up for, impact, and influence those around you.

Whether youā€™re looking to improve your leadership at work, or you aspire to lead people in any other domain of life, here are five key traits every aspiring inspiring must master if they want to inspire others to greatness.

Group DIscussion
Smiling business persons stacking hands over the table


Authenticity

Effective leadership requires a multifaceted approach, and one that is at the forefront is authenticity. Inspiring leaders who embody this trait are those who are able to demonstrate their true selves with their colleagues and team members. Authenticity requires a level of openness, honesty and vulnerability, being comfortable in your own skin, and not using a false persona.

When leaders are authentic in the workplace, it sets a positive example for everyone around them. They exhibit the courage to be sincere and direct with their team members, fostering a culture of openness and trust. Authenticity is a keystone trait for any inspiring leader.


Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness in leadership goes beyond being honest and transparent; it is also about fostering a culture of trust within your team. To achieve this, effective leaders must consistently demonstrate authenticity, integrity, competence, and reliability in their words and actions and decision-making.

When team members trust their leaders, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work, leading to greater productivity and success for the organization. In essence, trustworthiness is an essential ingredient for any aspiring leader who wants to build a cohesive, high-performing team.


Interpersonal Relationships

Effective leadership requires more than just technical and strategic skills ā€“ it requires strong interpersonal skills. A leader who is able to foster a positive work environment through nurturing relationships is more likely to inspire their team to work effectively towards a common goal.

By building strong interpersonal skills, a leader is able to communicate, listen, and connect effectively with their team, building trust and increasing motivation. When team members feel valued, heard, and respected, they are more likely to go above and beyond to achieve success. Todayā€™s successful leaders excel in building positive interpersonal relationships, fostering a people-centric culture of teamwork and collaboration.


Motivating Others

Great leadership is about being able to motivate and inspire others to achieve common goals. The power of inspiration in leadership cannot be overstated; as a leader, your ability to encourage, engage and motivate your team can set the tone for your organization’s success.

To achieve this, practicing techniques for boosting morale and enhancing motivation is essential, and being a motivating force and inspiring others requires dedication and skill. Investing in leadership development that focuses on these critical traits will not only help you become a better leader, but empower your team to achieve their full potential.


Purposeful and Visionary

If you are a leader with a clear purpose, you know what difference you want to make in the world. This becomes clear to others by your enthusiasm, passion and dedication to it – your presence. If you are visionary you have a clear and compelling picture of the future and what you can achieve ot become together, or you facilitate the creation of a collective, shared vision. You communicate this often, with inspiring language.

The primary contribution of inspiring leaders is to cultivate vision and purpose, ideally with others, and then become a standard bearer for the cause. Inspiring leaders a role models for the purpose and vision, with both character and competence –  by what they say, how they say it, what they donā€™t say, what they do and what they donā€™t do. 


The Evolution of Leadership Development

Being an inspiring leader involves mastering the traits of authenticity, trustworthiness, strong interpersonal relationships, the ability to encourage and motivate others and embody a compelling purpose and exciting vision. By focusing on these key components, you can elevate your leadership and make a lasting impact on those around you.

Developing and honing these characteristics and skills is a critical step in the evolution of becoming an effective and inspiring leader. The journey to being the best you can be is a lifelong one, and focusing on leadership development will always be a worthy and rewarding effort. 

Leadersharp was formed because we believe that the world needs better leaders, and we can help. Leadersharp is a Canadian-based leadership coaching, training and consulting firm that works with companies nationwide to advance the development of leaders, teams and their organizations. Our expert team offers a variety of programs and engagements, including executive coaching, management training, custom course development and HR and Organiational Development consulting . By integrating a hands-on approach and advanced tools including Everything DiSC, Great Feedback, and The Leadership Circle Profile, we guarantee an exceptional experience and unparalleled results. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, our team is ready to help guide you to success. Get in touch today at [email protected], or (403)-719-0800.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you. LeaderSharp has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Leadership Development (Coaching/Training) Companies in Canada in 2022 by Manage HR Magazine.


LeaderSharp Group is a full-service leadership development company based in Calgary, Alberta, with a team of resources across Canada. Their team is comprised of highly skilled and experienced leadership coaches, facilitators, course designers, trainers, and consultants. LeaderSharp is guided by their Core Values, Mission, Purpose and Vision, which focuses on advancing the development of generative leadership for a complex and ever-changing world. They are passionate about creating more effective corporate and government leaders that can lead teams, functions and organizations with courage and compassion through the ambiguity, uncertainty, and disruption faced by todayā€™s organizations.


Lisa Scott, Board Chair & Chris Jones, CEO


In an interview with Manage HR, Chris Jones, CEO of LeaderSharp Group, shares his insights on how the company specializes in leadership and team development, inspired by their Purpose: The World Needs Better Leaders.

Leadersharp


How has LeaderSharp grown over the past eight years:


LeaderSharp Group was co-founded by my wife and business partner, Lisa Scott, and I in 2014. Before starting LeaderSharp, we both had successful careers in business leadership roles before becoming leadership coaches and trainers. It was just the two of us for several years, trying to survive and grow through the challenging times. Just after we started LeaderSharp there was an oil and gas industry downturn and economic decline in western Canada, which lasted four years. Though our business was slow back then, we decided to increase the investment in our marketing efforts, such as building our fabulous website. That investment really paid off by increasing the volume of qualified leads that contacted us.


Then in 2019, COVID unfortunately started. Not only was there a global financial crisis, but the way people worked changed dramatically, especially moving to virtual platforms. And the worst part for us was that most companies cut their budgets for leadership training and coaching, and work really dropped off. This again tested our resilience. Lisa and I worked hard to diversify our client base, and we began to form a team of like-minded, high-quality coaches and trainers. By mid-2020, we began to grow again, which, over the past two years, has accelerated, and we now have more than 20 fantastic Associates from Victoria to Quebec Cityā€” all very experienced and qualified individualsā€”and nine staff members who support the success of our clients and our Associates. Weā€™ve enjoyed significant growth over the 18 months in particular, with bigger clients and bigger projects. Today, we are expanding from a coaching and training company into an eLearning company specializing in designing and delivering custom, high impact leadership development programs utilizing our Docebo LMS platform for online learning.


How does LeaderSharp address the current trends in the market?


The requirement for retention and succession planning in the middle of the Great Resignation is one of the primary pain points. There is a global shortage of trained labor and an increasing need for good leadership skills. The mass exodus of baby boomers from professional and management positions creates a growing demand for Gen X and millennials to step into leadership roles. To fill these positions, there is an overarching need to develop quality leaders in great numbers. LeaderSharp is addressing this need by coaching and developing leaders from different age groups and various levels of leadership, from the C-Suite to high potentials.


Another market trend is the increased demand for leaders with a more humanistic approach to leadership. The pandemic has shone a light on the critical need for these skills, such as relationship building and communication, transparency, empathy, compassion and emotional intelligence. Organizations have begun to transition toward people-centered leaders focusing on employee wellbeing, as well as diversity and inclusion, which I think is a really positive and overdue trend.

During the pandemic, expenditure on leadership development was significantly reduced. However, post-pandemic, there is a huge interest in leadership training and coaching, which we are happily responding to.

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