Effective Leadership Requires A Voracious Appetite for Accountability and Growth: Good To Great, How Leadership Impacts Organizations, Leadership Qualities That Matter, Why Is Leadership Important
Some leaders have questioned the usefulness of coaching asking:
Do you have to be coached forever?
How many things can I find to “work on”?
What is the point of Leadership Coaching?
So, I wanted to talk a bit about that.
There is a person who is pretty helpful in thinking about this and maybe not who you’d think of: Michael Jordan!
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time—he changed the game, and many would argue the culture. Given his natural talent and abilities, you might assume he didn't need much coaching or practice.
But that wasn't the case.
At the height of his career, Jordan had at least 4 coaches (Head Coach Phil Jackson, Assistant Coaches Johnny Bach and Tex Winter, and Personal Trainer Tim Grover).
Why would someone of Jordan's caliber surround himself with so many coaches?
Because Jordan wasn't interested in being average.
As he famously said:
"I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges."
This mindset is precisely what separated Jordan from his peers and elevated him from good to truly great.
The Good to Great Leadership Journey
Jim Collins, renowned leadership expert and author of the groundbreaking book Good to Great, captured this concept perfectly. Jordan embodied this principle—he wasn't satisfied with being good; he was committed to becoming great.
This is the same ideal behind leadership coaching. It's not about learning how to be good—your interest in development and coaching likely means you are already a good leader! The challenge now is running practices (coaching sessions) where you work with your coach to achieve greatness.
These coaching practices help implement real-world changes and develop expertise that elevates both your leadership game and your business performance.
The Impact of Brave Leadership
The data is clear: The highest performing businesses have Braver Leaders.
According to MIT Sloan research, "Lack of leadership investment is, by far, the most important obstacle to closing the gap between cultural aspirations and current reality."
When organizations fail to invest in leadership development, they create a ceiling that limits both individual and organizational flourishing. Conversely, companies that prioritize leadership coaching consistently outperform their competitors.
The Ripple Effect of Leadership Coaching
Leadership coaching doesn't just benefit the individual leader—it creates a powerful ripple effect throughout the entire organization:
Leaders gain a dedicated space for reflection, growth, and development
Employees benefit through improved leadership practices
The organization thrives with aligned, purposeful leadership
When leaders invest in developing their coaching skills, employees report:
Lower stress levels
Higher sense of purpose
Increased resilience
Greater engagement and satisfaction
This creates a generous cycle where braver leaders drive positive employee experiences and performance, which enhances organizational results, providing more resources for continued leadership development.
From Good to Great:
Your Leadership Journey
Just like Michael Jordan understood that greatness required dedicated coaching despite his natural talents, today's leaders must recognize that leadership excellence demands ongoing investment and development.
The path from good to great leadership isn't a solo journey.
It requires:
Regular coaching sessions with experienced coaches
A brave commitment to implementing new leadership practices
Willingness to face and overcome leadership challenges
Continuous refinement of leadership skills and approaches
Leadership coaching provides the structured framework, expert guidance, and accountability needed to transform good leaders into exceptionally brave ones.
The Bottom Line
In today's complex business environment, leadership coaching isn't a luxury—it's a strategic necessity. Organizations that invest in developing brave, skilled leaders create the foundation for sustainable success.
Are you ready to follow Michael Jordan's example and commit to leadership greatness? The journey from good to great begins with the decision to invest in leadership coaching that challenges, inspires, and enlivens.
You, Your team, and your organization deserve nothing less.
Contact us today for a free consultation.