Mentors and coaches have high levels of credibility due to their experience. Spending time with a mentor or a coach allows employees to look at a situation through different eyes and extends their thinking beyond the obvious. Mentors and coaches may be independent of the immediate farm business which can help provide clarity about what the big goals really are without getting bogged down in the day-to-day stuff.
Getting Started
- Spend time choosing the right mentor, or coach, for you and/or your team. This is critical, so make sure you pick the right person. Ask for recommendations, check references and spend time getting to know them.
- Mentors are motivated by wanting to impact on someone's life by sharing their knowledge and experiences. Most mentors offer their time for free and this is a very personal relationship. It is quite common for bosses to become mentors for employees and this can be a very successful way of developing and empowering employees.
- Professional coaches are an excellent option when an alternative perspective is required. They are not necessarily industry specific, as coaching skills are transferrable, but there are companies that do specialise in dairy farm coaching.
- Coach your own employees - Instead of telling employees the answer, ask questions so they can identify the solution. Explain different sides of a situation so they learn to see a rounded view and how a small decision can impact a much bigger area.
Remember to...
- Empower your team to make better decisions by coaching, not telling them, how to deal with a situation.
- Involve and engage your employees.
- Help find a mentor for your employees (or do it yourself) who can guide and develop their potential.