Tips on Coaching Team Members to be Their Highest Self
As a leader, coaching your team members is one of the most impactful ways you can influence both their growth and the overall success of your organization. A great manager empowers their team to reach new heights, fostering productivity, engagement, and confidence. Effective coaching helps individuals tap into their full potential, which in turn creates a thriving team environment. But coaching isn’t just about giving advice; it’s about providing the right guidance to help your team members develop, grow, and ultimately become their highest selves.
Today, I’m sharing some practical tips on how you can coach your team members to be their highest selves. These strategies are grounded in personal growth, and as someone who has seen the transformation in myself—whether through deepening my SolidCore practice or leading my own team in business management—I can tell you firsthand that coaching for growth is one of the most powerful tools for leadership. Let’s dive in.
7 Tips on Coaching Team Members to be Their Highest Self
Understanding what it means to be your highest self is key to appreciating these coaching tips. When you focus on helping your team members reach their full potential, you increase engagement, foster a positive team environment, and cultivate a culture of continuous growth. As I’ve applied these principles not only in my fitness journey but also in managing my team, I’ve noticed the profound impact it has on how people show up. So let’s explore how you can guide your team toward their highest selves.
What Does It Mean to Be Your Highest Self?
Being your highest self means unlocking your full potential—not just at work but in every aspect of your life. It’s about aligning your actions with your core values, continually evolving, and pushing yourself to be better each day. Just like I challenge myself in SolidCore to deepen my squats and perfect my form, being your highest self means showing up with intention, clarity, and purpose.
When you show up as your highest self, you're not just aiming to check boxes or meet expectations. You're striving for personal excellence. You’re driven by a sense of purpose that influences every decision you make. This approach transforms the way you lead, communicate, and manage your team. Similarly, helping your team members reach their highest self involves coaching them in a way that nurtures their strengths, encourages their growth, and challenges them to be better versions of themselves.
How to Coach Team Members at Different Levels
As you work on managing and coaching your team, it’s important to recognize that team members are at different stages in their careers and development. Each person has different needs and expectations, and as a coach, it’s essential to adjust your approach to match these differences. Below, I’ll break down the key stages of development for team members and share tips on how to best coach them at each stage.
Entry-Level Team Members: Building Foundations
Entry-level team members often have the energy and enthusiasm to do great things, but they may lack experience or confidence in their skills. Coaching at this stage should focus on helping them build foundational skills and confidence.
Tip #1: Be Clear and Specific in Expectations
At this level, it’s vital to set clear expectations for performance and behavior. Encourage them to ask questions and provide feedback, helping them feel supported as they develop new skills. Regular check-ins will also help them feel accountable while giving them the guidance they need to succeed.
Mid-Level Team Members: Expanding Knowledge and Leadership
Mid-level team members have gained experience and knowledge in their roles but may still need guidance in managing their responsibilities and relationships. Coaching for this level should focus on expanding their leadership abilities and refining their skill sets. Perhaps work with the 1:1 to understand their challenges and strengthen their weaknesses. Be open and honest here about your challenges too. It will better help connect you to your colleagues.
Tip #2: Offer Opportunities for Growth
Encourage mid-level team members to take on new challenges and explore different aspects of their role. Whether through cross-department projects or leadership training, providing growth opportunities fosters a sense of ownership and motivation to excel.
Senior-Level Team Members: Refining Leadership and Vision
Senior team members are well-versed in their roles and have a broad understanding of the business. At this level, coaching should focus on refining leadership skills, helping them improve team dynamics, and fostering a forward-thinking mindset. Allow space for "Big Thinking" and delegating. These have been crucial for me and setting up my team for success!
Tip #3: Encourage Strategic Thinking
Help your senior-level team members expand their vision by involving them in strategic decisions. Encourage them to think about the big picture and how their work fits into the company’s long-term goals. Challenge them to mentor others, as this will refine their leadership skills and foster a collaborative environment.
7 Coaching Tips for Reaching Their Highest Self
Now that we’ve outlined how to coach at different stages, let’s take a deeper look at actionable tips to help your team members reach their highest self.
Tip #4: Lead by Example
Your team will look to you for inspiration. Show up consistently and model the behavior you want to see in your team. Whether it’s being punctual, handling stress with grace, or practicing self-care, leading by example sets the standard for the entire team.
Tip #5: Align Coaching with Their Strengths
Each person brings unique strengths to the table. Take the time to understand what drives each of your team members and coach them in ways that leverage these strengths. This fosters a sense of ownership, self-worth, and motivation.
Tip #6: Foster Open Communication
Create a safe space where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Open communication helps build trust and enables you to understand the challenges they may be facing, allowing you to provide more effective coaching.
Tip #7: Provide Constructive Feedback
Feedback is essential for growth. Offer constructive feedback that highlights both strengths and areas for improvement. Make sure to deliver it in a positive, actionable way that inspires growth, rather than discouragement.
Tip #8: Celebrate Wins
Celebrate both small and big successes. Acknowledging your team’s achievements boosts morale and encourages them to keep pushing toward their highest self. It also fosters a positive team culture where success is shared and appreciated.
Tip #9: Cultivate Emotional Intelligence
Developing emotional intelligence is key for effective leadership. Help your team members recognize their emotions, understand the impact of those emotions on their behavior, and use that awareness to improve decision-making and relationships with others.
Tip #10: Promote a Growth Mindset
As I explored in Chapter 5 of Get Grounded, adopting a growth mindset is essential for optimal health and performance. Encourage your team to embrace challenges and view failures as learning opportunities. This mindset will help them continuously improve and grow into their highest selves.
Final Thoughts
Coaching is a journey, both for you and for your team members. By understanding what it means to be your highest self, you can better support your team’s growth and foster a positive, productive work environment. Whether you’re coaching entry-level, mid-level, or senior team members, your ability to meet them where they are and provide meaningful support will have a lasting impact on their success—and the success of your organization.
If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, consider setting some personal leadership goals for yourself. These goals will guide your own development as a leader and empower you to support your team even more effectively.
Ready to start coaching your team to be their highest self?
