Over her 70-year reign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II coached 15 Prime Ministers and countless others with grace and charisma, but without authority. As a Constitutional Monarch, she was the Head of State but the authority to enact laws resided with Parliament. This remarkable woman, named by the Wall Street Journal as the World’s Top Executive Coach, is now the Patron Saint of Executive Coaches. Thank you, Ma’am.
Are you sometimes called upon to coach people without having authority over them?
When a peer in your organization tells you about struggling with an issue, you don’t hesitate to help just because you don’t have the authority. Just sincerely express your concern, get clarification on the problem, find out what they’ve already tried, and then apply your experience. Try telling stories of similar obstacles you faced and how they were successfully resolved. Or ask “what if” questions to jointly uncover alternative solutions. By stepping up for your colleague with grace and charisma, you will both advance the ball for your organization and grow your own problem solving and leadership skills.
Just ask yourself, “What would Queen Elizabeth do?”
Ed Forsberg
Executive Strategist and CEO at Forsberg & Co.
