By Brigitta Banhidi (Hungary)
This is a conclusion most of my C-level coachees come to after having taken part in a leadership coaching process. But why would they think they had been alone beforehand? The answer is easy: because it is always lonely in the top. Imagine climbing the highest mountains: there is just no room for more. The same with being on the top of a company – you have nobody to share your problems with, to complain about your bosses together or simply to go out for a lunch with. You just have to be the head of a big population with all its authority, respect, trust and sometimes fear. Becoming a leader takes a long way from being a manager. It is the coach who can accompany you in this process. Here are some tools – amongst many – you can use efficiently.
To stop list
Most people think they need to learn new skills to grow into a new role. Sometimes, on the contrary, it is more important to get rid of certain behaviours. As Peter Drucker said, “Most leaders don’t need to learn what to do. They need to learn what to stop.” Following this logic, Marshall Goldsmith has listed 20 of such behaviours one would better stop to become a great leader
| Winning too much | Adding too much value | Passing judgment | Making destructive comments | Starting with “No,” “But,” or “However” |
| Telling the world how smart we are | Speaking when angry | Negativity, or “Let me explain why that won’t work” | Withholding information | Failing to give proper recognition |
| Claiming credit that we don’t deserve | Making excuses | Clinging to the past | Playing favorites | Refusing to express regret |
| Not listening | Failing to express gratitude | Punishing the messenger | Passing the buck | An excessive need to be “me” |
Source: iCN Issue 5 (Leadership Coaching); pages 63-64
About Brigitta Bánhid
Brigitta Bánhidi is known of fast and long-lasting results of whatever she deals with.
As an Economist with sound legal background she began her professional career in a multinational environment. She started working for PricewaterHouse Coopers and soon became a Management Associate with Citi Hungary. Manager of three successful projects, she moved on to Product Management. In 2005 she was headhunted by Erste Bank for Head of Consumer Product Development.Brigitta Bánhidi is known of fast and long-lasting results of whatever she deals with.
In 2008 a new chapter started in her life with giving birth to her first daughter. While taking care of her, Brigitta started studying coaching and soon became a qualified business and life coach (www.banhidibrigitta.com). By the time she had her second daughter in 2010 she was having coaching clients and was known for being an empathic, efficient and goal-oriented coach. Mid-2012 she became strategic partner of Toolful Coach – a project full of tools to support coaches in their coaching practice. She has already received her ICF ACC credential and been voted as „Coach of The Year 2012” in Hungary.
In her spare time, Brigitta likes playing the piano and doing yoga to balance out her inner spirit.
