The first 100 days as a female leader – coaching can make the difference.
As a leadership coach, I have had the privilege of working with many first-time female leaders. The first 100 days in the office can be both exhilarating and daunting, and I believe having a coach is crucial to success in this role. In this blog, I’ll share my experience as a coach and explain why coaching can make all the difference in those first 100 days.
The Importance of Coaching for First-Time Female Leaders
When you step into a leadership role for the first time, there is a lot to navigate. You must establish your leadership style, build relationships with your team and colleagues, and set priorities for your first 100 days. You may also be dealing with imposter syndrome or other challenges that can undermine your confidence and success.
That’s where coaching comes in. As a coach, I work with first-time female leaders to help them:
Develop their leadership style
One of the first things we focus on is developing an authentic leadership style to the leader. This means understanding their strengths and weaknesses, identifying their values and priorities, and finding ways to lead that feel natural and effective.
Set goals and priorities
Another key area is setting goals and priorities for the first 100 days. This can be challenging, as so many things are vying for a leader’s attention. We work together to identify the most important areas to focus on and create a plan to achieve those goals.
Build confidence
As a coach, I help leaders build their confidence by encouraging them to take risks, believe in themselves, and trust their instincts. This is especially important for first-time female leaders, who may be dealing with imposter syndrome or other challenges that can undermine their confidence.
Manage time and resources
Time management is essential for any leader, but it can be particularly challenging for first-time female leaders. We work on strategies to manage time and resources effectively, prioritize tasks, delegate where necessary, and ensure that the leader is using their time in the most productive way possible.
Navigate difficult conversations
Leadership isn’t always easy, and there may be times when a leader needs to have difficult conversations with their team or colleagues. We work on strategies for communicating effectively, managing conflict in a constructive way, and navigating challenging situations with grace and confidence.
These are just a few of the ways that coaching can help first-time female leaders succeed in their first 100 days. But why is coaching so effective?
The Benefits of Coaching for First-Time Female Leaders
Here are a few of the benefits that coaching can provide for first-time female leaders:
Support and guidance
Coaching provides a safe and confidential space for leaders to discuss their challenges, concerns, and aspirations. It can be lonely at the top, and having a coach who can offer support and guidance can be invaluable.
Accountability
A coach can help leaders stay accountable to their goals and priorities, ensuring that they stay on track and progress towards their objectives.
Fresh perspective
A coach can provide a fresh perspective on the leader’s challenges and opportunities. They can help the leader see things from a different angle, identify blind spots, and find new solutions to old problems.
Personalized support
Coaching is tailored to the individual leader’s needs, goals, and preferences. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather a customized solution that meets the leader's unique needs.
Continuous improvement
Coaching isn’t a one-time event, but rather a continuous process of learning and growth. A coach can help leaders continually improve their skills, knowledge, and performance.
How to Find a Coach
If you’re a first-time female leader looking for a coach, here are a few tips to get you started:
Look for someone with experience coaching first-time female leaders
Not all coaches are the same, and you want to make sure you’re working with someone who understands the unique challenges and opportunities that first-time female leaders face. Look for a coach with experience working with women in leadership roles.
Check their qualifications and credentials
Coaching is an unregulated industry, which means anyone can call themselves a coach. However, there are professional organizations and certifications that coaches can earn. Look for coaches with these qualifications or other relevant certifications or credentials.
Schedule an initial consultation
Most coaches offer a free consultation or discovery session to potential clients. This is an opportunity for you to get to know the coach, ask questions, and see if they are a good fit for you. Make sure you feel comfortable with the coach and that they understand your needs and goals.
Check references
Before you commit to working with a coach, check their references. Ask for testimonials from past clients, and reach out to those clients to ask about their experience working with the coach. This can give you a sense of the coach’s style, approach, and effectiveness.
And what about company internal coaching? e.g. your boss?
If the coach is qualified accordingly and really independent from your part of the organization, this can work out.
But lately companies often talk about your manager becoming your coach.To my experience this doesn ́t work out well. The business goals will often overlay your needs, leading to a confusing mix of orders, mentoring and coaching. And for some reason you might be reluctant to tell your superior about your perceived weaknesses and failures, when they are the ones assessing your performance.
Conclusion and support
The first 100 days as a first-time female leader can be challenging, but you can succeed with the right support and guidance. Coaching can provide the personalized, customized support you need to navigate this critical time and set yourself up for long-term success.
If you’re a first-time female leader, I encourage you to consider working with a coach. Look for someone with experience coaching women in leadership roles, check their qualifications and credentials, schedule an initial consultation, and check their references.
With the right coach by your side, you can confidently step into your leadership role, navigate the challenges and opportunities of those first 100 days, and set yourself up for a successful and rewarding career as a leader.
As a career and leadership coach, a mother of two and in a leadership role for the last 20 years, I can support you during your first 100 days in a leadership role and help you land fast so you can easily lead with ease, fun and confidence. Delivering great results with a motivated team. Here is a link to book a discovery session with me to find out if I am the right coach for you.
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Kathrina Engelhardt writes about why coaching can make a difference during the first 100 days as a female leader.