The Leading Edge:
Coaching out of the Comfort Zone

By Amy Modglin, a certified John Maxwell Team coach, speaker, and trainer

We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top.” Many executive leaders don’t have anyone to challenge and stretch them. So, when an executive coach gets the chance to work with someone at the top of an organization, it’s a unique opportunity and a privilege.

Currently, I’m on the most transformational journey with one of my executive clients. He entered his role in an organization where the culture has enabled toxic leaders to thrive. His mission is to change the culture of the organization. It’s been an amazing ride for him and for me as well. I’d like to share some key points which have been crucial to his increased awareness and mission success.

In the beginning of our partnership he acknowledged that he is a relational leader who thrives on the positive relationships he has cultivated with his direct reports. We explored where his leadership style works for him and against him. After completing a 360-degree assessment, he discovered people found it easy to follow him and support his vision because he was so personable. On the other hand, he also discovered many of his leaders felt like he swept major issues under the rug. For example, one leader reported she was covering for an open position and after expressing her stress level and burnout, the position was cut.

During one session, he informed me he was feeling pressure to address issues with one leader that was causing a divide on his team. After much examination, he concluded that he needed to act on the concerns with this toxic leader. I asked him, “So how do you think you need to address this toxic leader?” He said, “Well Amy, I’d like to have you meet with her to discuss the issues.”

I must admit, the answer was disappointing. Thankfully, we have developed a strong enough relationship where I was comfortable enough to challenge him. I encouraged him to talk with the toxic leader himself and reestablish some expectations as well as to develop a plan for her success going forward. We worked on this together for months. We even role played to give him some exposure to this crucial conversation. When it became closer to the time where he was going to confront the toxic leader, he again asked me to do it for him.

The harder I pushed him, the harder he resisted. To be a good coach, I need to have a good coach and I can never stop learning. I brought my challenge to my coach and mentor Mark Cole, the CEO of John Maxwell’s companies. Mark learns from the most influential leader in the world, and I learn from him. Most of my success can be attributed to my learning journey. Mark pointed out that by not addressing the issue with the toxic leader, my client was losing credibility. As John Maxwell says, “Credibility is a leader’s currency. With it, he or she is solvent. Without it, he or she is bankrupt.”

That was the magic phrase I needed!

The next coaching session was transformational! I already knew credibility was very important to him. When I suggested he was losing credibility by not addressing these issues, everything changed. He got it. The light bulb went on. From that point on he dug in his heels and learned how he could continue to be a relational leader all while confronting issues head on. I watched his mindset shift as he gained an understanding that confrontation meant that he cared about someone enough to help them turn things around.

One day he called me and thanked me for pushing him out of his comfort zone. He said he now understood that being everyone’s friend was hurting more than helping him and that it was a pivotal moment in his career. He also told me he had the conversation with this toxic leader using everything he learned in our coaching sessions. He presented her with the success plan we developed and he’s already starting to see some positive changes.

It is crucial to the success of an executive coach to feel confident enough to push their clients out of their comfort zone. Executives are people just like you and me. Don’t be intimidated by their title. Trust in yourself and your abilities as a coach and you can help them get from where they are to where they need to be! Continue to challenge yourself as you challenge your clients. Successful coaching is about being able to come out of your comfort zone more comfortable than ever!

About Amy:

Amy Modglin is a certified John Maxwell Team coach, trainer and speaker. She is also the President of Modglin Leadership Solutions. Through both the John Maxwell Team and her own company, Amy invests in people and organizations through transformational leadership training and coaching, all of which are tailored to the needs of her customers. Amy is also an Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team and serves on the President’s Advisory Council and the Culture Awards Team.

Amy is a passionate, inspirational and accomplished leader. Coming from a background in healthcare, Amy has always been passionate about serving people. Amy was a Chief Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy and has led teams all over the world. After the Navy, she returned to healthcare, leading complex teams and reaching organizational pursuits. Amy holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Coaching from Regent University. With over 20 years of leadership and training experience coupled with having some of the best mentors in the world, Amy is equipped to bring value to you or your organization. Her motto is, “Unleash your inner amazing!”