How to empower the techies

The benefits of taking a coaching approach as a leader and manager have been widely accepted for some time.

But coaching skills are perhaps even more important and beneficial to individuals in highly technical roles, such as IT, because of the complexity of many technology-based roles.

IT professionals generally come from a very technical background and, as a result, are less likely to have a natural disposition towards the people aspect of management than individuals in more traditionally people-focused roles, such as marketing or human resources.

Furthermore, because of the technical nature of the job, IT professionals are less likely to receive training in management and leadership skills, which are often deemed less important than building up a technical and factual knowledge base.

Adopting a coaching approach means taking an attitude towards others that allows individuals to think for themselves and to be much more creative, insightful and responsible. If such an attitude is embraced by a leader or manager, then the coaching skills will follow more or less automatically.

It strikes me that there are some specific factors in the world of IT that make coaching particularly appropriate. With technology changing at a faster pace, it is becoming increasingly difficult for senior IT professionals to keep abreast of new developments.

Adopting a coaching approach towards more junior team members can provide support for independent decision-making processes.

Such provision should not only allow for the development of much more trusting relationships, it also gives less experienced employees time to develop their abilities and allows IT directors the room to carry out their role more fully.

Another area where taking a coaching approach can prove very beneficial is in managing and implementing technical change, whether internally or even within an external supplier organisation.

A frequent mistake made by IT managers is to implement change as an expert looking to impose transformation, rather than viewing the situation from the position of the person or people involved.

While it is undoubtedly important to ensure all the necessary information is communicated through training and online learning, coaching can be an invaluable tool to achieve the critical buy-in necessary to create a change management strategy.

Coaching enables IT managers and directors to understand the needs, concerns and the opportunities of
individuals undergoing the change process ­ and to then tailor their approach accordingly.

Finally, coaching can be an invaluable tool for IT professionals as they rise higher within their organisation and look to lead teams, influence their peers and ultimately help grow and improve the business.

Senior IT professionals need the time available to them to focus on becoming more involved in the strategic elements of the business, building relationships and understanding the bigger picture.

So coaching their teams to be more effective is critical to their own progression. If you are indispensable, you are unpromotable.

Myles Downey is co-founder of specialist leadership institution The School of Coaching