Work stress and pressure in boardrooms are high and frequently take leaders to the limits of their physical and psychological abilities. This can lead directly into burnout - sometimes up to suicide, as unfortunately has become clear over and over again. Individuals with leadership responsibility are often left to themselves, having no one with whom they can really exchange views on personal issues. The consequences can be catastrophic.

Increasing isolation

The growing amount of digitization and numerous other changes in the working world are key contributors to ever more human isolation. Communication in real time is possible across long distances, networking is increasing, answers are expected right away. Real dialog usually falls by the wayside, while the demands for ever shorter response times are rising considerably. This development in our society is largely responsible for the fact that perceived isolation in leadership positions is growing. It is essential, especially for leaders in top positions, to regularly exchange their thoughts, discuss their decisions, fears, and anxieties, as well as possible solutions.

Sparring as a sign of strenght

In the U.S., it has long been considered good practice to hire a coach or sparring partner. As with many other things, this attitude is now slowly arriving in Europe as well. We are just in the process of developing from a problem-oriented and deficit-oriented perception of the support of leaders – in which something seems to be missing or has to be developed first – to a resource-oriented and potential-oriented perception. This means that as an executive, you are calling on a confidant or sparring partner who offers neutral, value-free space. This can be used to gain important insights about oneself and to find access to one’s own resources.

The role of a sparring partner

Sparring partners are simply there for their clients, listening and offering support in improving self-awareness, available to reduce possible blind spots, and to achieve more authenticity thereby. Top performers are learning to make better use of their personal strengths and to continue to grow in certain areas. Briefly said, sparring partners promote and develop strengths and potentials instead of trying to eliminate weaknesses and deficits.

Transfer to leadership practise

In my work as an executive coach and sparring partner, I am frequently observing a highly interesting additional benefit that my clients derive from their own coaching: They gradually begin to be available to their employees as sparring partners themselves. Having experienced the valuable benefits and effects of this methodology for themselves, they want to pass them on. For this reason, the training of leaders in the use of coaching methods has become an important development in many companies now.

Let us talk about sparring. What are the issues that are important to you?