Gathering and analyzing data is an
effective way of identifying shortcomings and areas of lag in an organization. An
experienced business coach has the requisite skills needed to
leverage this data for generating insights and could guide in implementing the
necessary interventions.
What is data science?
Data science is a method used for
analyzing data and uncovering insights. It combines math, statistics,
programming, advanced analytics, and at times some AI. By performing advanced
data analysis, we can reveal patterns in business functioning that allow
leaders to make informed decisions about the necessary changes. That is
when coaching steps in to ensure much greater success and efficacy.
Steps for improving your team's
performance
Here are a set of steps needed to improve the performance of any team:
1. Define a SMART
goal
2. Reflect on past
performance & analyze root causes
3. Devise a plan
of action
4. Facilitate
check-ins meetings & explore best practices
5. Monitor
progress, provide feedforward, and celebrate success
6. Review
shortcomings and realign your actions with the goal(s)
7. Debrief and
develop a plan for further growth
Define what you want to achieve
Before you start implementing any
changes, it is crucial to define your goal(s). The best way to do so is to
implement the SMART goal approach:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Aggressive yet Achievable
- Relevant
- Timebound
A SMART goal is the most compelling way
to increase your probability of achieving the goals you’ve envisioned. As part
of my work as a Performance Coaching with the District Management Group, framing a
SMART goal is the north star that guides the team in this journey. A SMART goal
sets the stage for achieving breakthroughs on an incremental basis.
Reflect on past performance & analyze
root causes
After you’ve envisioned your goals, it is
time to do a retrospective on past performance to reflect on what has worked so
far and what hasn’t. This enables us to analyze the root cause of
inefficiencies and roadblocks in your organization. One of the fundamental
tools used for this analysis is a fishbone diagram created by the Japanese
management thinker - Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa. Using a fishbone diagram, you can
clearly correlate the causes that impact your objectives. It will help reveal
any challenges and impediments on the path to realizing your goals. This is a
highly effective tool to help categorize ideas and novel approaches into
meaningful themes for further exploration and intervention.
Devise an action plan
Brainstorming comes in handy when
developing a plan of action. It is an effective method to explore all the possibilities
and come up with different ways to achieve the objectives. It employs our
ability to experiment with a ‘fail fast & fail small mantra. This is an
excellent approach to leverage your resilience and grit for achieving the goal
- a vital aspect of a business.
The key takeaway is that failures, mistakes, and shortcomings are not the end;
they are an opportunity to learn, improve, surpass, and grow.
Facilitate check-ins meetings &
explore best practices
The critical intervention that a business
coach can help facilitate is holding short and on-demand meetings for
brainstorming ideas and making action-oriented decisions that culminate into
the fulfillment of the purpose. The true value and impact of a coach is in
their ability to shift the mindset of the team. Nudging people out of their
comfort zone is mandatory for generating a different result and making real and
sustained progress. Trying to do this on your own, adds to the degree of
difficulty faced by the team at this critical juncture.
A coach helps by working ON the issue
rather than IN the issue. Implementing changes and facilitating communication
are critical. As per wpfullcare.com, it is precisely what helped them
get through inefficiencies in their organization.
Monitor progress, provide feedforward and
celebrate success
As a leader, your role is to monitor your
team’s progress while providing them with valuable guidance on each step along
the way. Proving meaningful insights at this stage will help the team see a
clear and visually impactful picture, thus providing tangible information on
what needs immediate improvement and change.
This is a continuous cycle: data
introspection reveals potential issues or impediments; regular meetings allow
for identifying systemic challenges; this sets the stage for generating
creative and innovative ways of problem-solving, and by continuous refinements,
you get better results. This loop enables companies to improve and grow in a
sustained manner.
Also, the vital part of any change and
improvement is celebrating quick wins and success. It boosts the morale of the
team, grows their enthusiasm, and motivates them to tirelessly continue with
their efforts. The ability to recognize success and give credit to your team in
the precise moment when credit is due is the quality of a true leader.
Review shortcomings and realign your
actions with the goal(s)
Data introspection and regular meetings
ensure that your activities are in line with your goals. It is an opportunity
to identify the needs for corrections as and when required. Ultimately,
improving performance by combining data science and coaching means:
1. Relying on
concrete data to pinpoint issues
2. Nudging by an experienced coach to try new approaches
3. Guidance and
feedforward for implementing changes effectively
4. Reflecting on
the outcomes & refining for future growth and improvement
Debrief and develop a plan for continuous
growth
Growth doesn't happen overnight, nor can
it be achieved with a one-time fix. It needs a plan for continuous development
and modification. The initial assessment is the first step, and actions for the
identified impediments are the next step in the right direction. However, it is
not the end; because for your company to have sustained growth and increase in
their valuation, a continuation of this loop is the alchemy that could propel
your company to the next level. The magic lies in logic!
This journey is built on a series of sprint
cycles wherein you can see the finish line at each step along the way. This is
similar to the agile approach made popular by the software industry and now
being used by management consultants in various industries for implementing
gradual improvements leading to a business transformation.
In the context of the educational
industry which I’ve been in an advisory role for the recent 5 years, this data
science + coaching approach yields an increase in student engagement, higher
composite scores, higher placement ratio, etc.
In the context of the I.T staffing and
professional services sector which I’ve worked for over 15 years – this data
science + coaching approach yields revenue growth, higher bill rate, increase
in profits, longer retention of billable resources, higher candidate placement
ratio, etc.
The bottom line!
On one hand, there is 'conversational
intelligence' - information gathered through conversing with teams, AND on the
other hand, there is 'data intelligence' – information gathered through
assessments and test scores. These two when combined by a prudent coach have
the power to bring about incredible results leading to a much-sought-after
transformation. The crux lies in implementing bite-sized changes continually
within an organization.
It is important to note that improvement
is not done for a company, it is done WITH the company by a coach or
consultant.
