The Great Resignation
Over the last few years, the world of work has undergone a revolution. Hybrid working has fast become the norm for many of us, and as it strives to reach a mature state, many employees are left feeling isolated or undervalued as businesses struggle to find the most productive and effective models. Similarly, many managers are struggling to adapt to new leadership styles that reflect new ways of working.
Despite its many benefits, hybrid working has also brought with it some challenges, with many now questioning their work-life balance or fulfilment in their current role. Research by Deloitte reveals that fatigue and lack of support are the two of the most significant reasons leaders are currently quitting their jobs.
This has resulted in what’s been dubbed as “The Great Resignation”. Right now, for global businesses, talent retention is everything, and nowhere more so than in Data teams. As such, it is more important now, than ever before, for Data leaders to lead and manage teams effectively whilst also looking after wellbeing.
Why Data Teams Should Consider Coaching or Mentoring
Leading a data, analytics or data science function is now a business critical, but challenging role, requiring a wide range of skills, and at times, can also feel lonely and isolating. To help combat this isolation, business leaders are now recognising the benefits of enlisting executive coaches and mentors to help them work through complex, confidential issues that can be difficult to discuss with people connected to the business.
At Nua, we have put together a very tailored and bespoke offering to specifically help Data Leaders perform better, and manage their own personal wellbeing. Our approach combines an ICF (International Coaching Federation) accredited coaching method and toolkit, with extensive data industry experience, to provide the support and insights a successful data leader now needs.
So, whether you need a non-judgmental sounding board to help you understand yourself better, improve your mindset, prioritise or clarity your approach and equip you with the skills to handle future challenges and situations (a coach), or someone to guide, advise, and support you to be the best you can be in your career (a mentor), Nua Training is here to help.
When might a Coach or Mentor help you?
Simply by giving people the time and space to think, and by asking the right questions to get to the right answers, coaching can be a transformative and life-changing experience. Coaching can help with an array of different things, some not immediately apparent. Some of the things that coaching can help with, taken from ‘Then Coach’s Casebook: Mastering The 12 Traits That Trap Us’ by Geoff Watts and Kim Morgan are listed below. Perhaps you might recognise some in yourself?
- Imposter Syndrome – a feeling of not being as good as others think we are and fearing we will be found out
- People Pleasing – trying to please everybody and saying ‘yes’ when you want to say ‘no’
- Going to Excess – doing things in excess such as eating, drinking, gambling, sex or drugs
- Fierce Independence – making unconventional choices
- Cynicism – expecting the worst to avoid disappointment
- Driven by Fear – defensive or smokescreen behaviour to avoid the ‘real’ conversation that need to be had
- Ostrich Syndrome – burying one’s head in the sand, hoping problems will go away
- Perfectionism – striving for flawlessness and setting impossibly high standards
- Procrastination – employing tactics to delay or postpone action
- Performance Anxiety – such as fear of public speaking or presenting
- Searching for Fulfillment – seeking pleasure and satisfaction with life
- Coping with Loss – coping with lost opportunities and lost possibilities
We know that data has become a core business driver, but with that responsibility comes greater business scrutiny and reliance on the results that data can deliver. Accessing the perspectives from a mentor, someone who has already worked through the challenges or opportunities you have, can often help you in your own thinking, and accelerate your learning and performance. A mentor can help with things like:
- Gaining stakeholder and company buy-in to a data strategy
- Building a data-driven culture in your business
- Delivering value from data
- Prioritisation to deliver quick wins
- Working through your challenges and problems
- Influencing your peers and managing upwards
- Progressing up the career ladder
- Managing hybrid data teams
- Building high performing data teams
- Managing difficult team members
- Growing a data business or function
“The spectacles of experience; through them you will see clearly a second time” Henrik Ibsen
How does the process work?
At Nua, we combine the best of certified leadership coaching with real data leader experience to help you develop in your career.
All sessions are confidential, typically run virtually and last about 60 minutes. The topics covered are driven by your needs, but if its helpful, we have developed a 6 stage, 6 month process to get to where you want to be. And to understand how we can help you and add the value you need, we offer an extra, free one-hour exploration session at the start to understand your needs and plan out the best approach for you.
In summary
Leadership coaching and mentoring are an investment, and one that can pay great dividends, especially for data business leaders. So, whether you’re feeling close to burnout, want a better work/life balance, have goals you want to achieve, or you want some time to clarify your thinking, coaching and mentoring may help you get to the answers you want.
To find out more, contact: tony@nuatraining.co.uk