Improving performance by combining Data Science and Coaching

All organizations have the innate potential to perform better compared to their current level. The challenging part is identifying the areas where it is possible to make the enhancements! Let’s try to explore performance improvement by leveraging modern data science AND performance coaching.

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.