Investing in the Vital Relationship: Couples Coaching for Leaders and Their Right-Hand Persons

Do you have a trusted right-hand person who plays a crucial role in steering your veterinary practice towards success and facing challenges head-on? Selecting the right individual for this role is a strategic move that requires careful consideration. While it may be tempting to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, creating an echo chamber of agreement, the truth is, a right-hand person should do more than just nod in agreement – they should challenge us.

Whether your right-hand person is a mirror image of yourself or possesses a different set of skills and perspectives, the relationship between a leader and their right-hand person demands attention, nurturing, and sometimes, external support. Recently, I was approached by a practice owner and their right-hand person for what they termed "couples coaching."

In this scenario, the right-hand person served as the leader's confidant, sounding board, and trusted advisor, providing invaluable support across both professional and personal realms. Together, they navigated strategic decisions, managed day-to-day operations, and offered moral support during challenging times. However, even the strongest relationships face hurdles.

Differences in communication styles, conflicting priorities, and occasional power dynamics can strain the bond between a leader and their right-hand person. Recognising these challenges, they sought out coaching as a means to support their partnership.

Similar to couples therapy that aids romantic partners in overcoming obstacles and reinforcing their connection, coaching offers a structured approach to support leaders and their right-hand persons by facilitating effective communication, encouraging collaborative problem-solving, ensuring alignment and understanding, and developing emotional intelligence.

Additionally:

• You are deepening your connection with a shared experience.
• You are accelerating your individual and collective growth journeys by leveraging each other’s insights, challenging each other’s limiting beliefs, and holding each other accountable leading to faster progress and breakthroughs.
• You are fostering accountability and commitment by going on this journey together. You are more likely to stay accountable to each other, follow through on your commitments, and support each other in overcoming challenges along the way.

At first glance, the idea of "couples coaching" for leaders and their right-hand person might seem unconventional. However, after three months of working closely with such a "couple," I've had the privilege of witnessing its transformative power first hand.

The journey of this dynamic pair, navigating challenges, fostering growth, and strengthening their partnership, has been truly remarkable. Their commitment to the coaching process, coupled with their willingness to explore new perspectives and embrace vulnerability, has led to profound personal and professional breakthroughs.

Inspired by their journey and the tangible results they've achieved, I am excited to announce that I will be offering couples coaching for leaders and their right-hand persons as a dedicated service moving forward. This unique approach to leadership development has the potential to unlock untapped potential, strengthen relationships, and drive meaningful progress within veterinary practices.