When coaching an individual leader in a business, explore her/his assumptions about the individual and collective aspects of leadership in their experience. Ask them to tell stories about each and identify what important learning there was.

Some sample questions might be:

• What were your intentions?
• What did you do?
• What was the result?
• What does this say about your leadership?

Then ask them to look at a leadership opportunity that they are facing. Ask a similar series of questions. Then explore the collective dimension.

For example:

• Who else needs to exercise leadership?
• How are they aligned with your intentions?
• What actions do they need to take?
• What conversations need to happen to support that?

We would value any stories and comments you can share with us about your experiences with this Leadership Coaching Tip.

> Russ Volckmann