Coaching the Project Sponsor
Coaching the Project Sponsor
Here are some tips you can offer the Sponsors during the 30-Day Project. Ideally, you can offer these tips in response to specific situations they describe or guidance they seek. You can also offer these in anticipation of situations.
Offer support and avoid offering solutions
Once the team decides on a course of action, ask: “What support do you need?” It’s important to be honest about what you can and cannot do, and don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I will find out and let you know.” Then do so quickly!
Praise the 75% that is right, rather than point out the 25% that is wrong
It is more impactful to praise an idea’s positive aspects and ask the team to build on them than to focus on its negative aspects. Instead of being the place where ideas get buried, the Sponsor can become the person the team comes to to bounce ideas off.
"How can I help?"
This is among the most powerful combinations of 4 words in the English language. Sponsors can use it in their informal weekly or bi-weekly check-in calls or emails with team leaders. Along with another powerful phrase: “how are things going?” If this does not open the conversation up, Sponsors can use some of the follow up questions in the Coaching tool.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Depending on the culture of the organisation or system, Sponsors could ask for periodic formal reviews with Team Leaders. These could be done weekly. Here’s an easy and fun format for these reviews.
