Coaching Your Team to Think, Act, and Solve Problems Like Leaders with Dominic Ashley-Timms
Dec 31, 2024
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Dominic Ashley-Timms, co-author of "The Answer is a Question" and a leadership development expert, shares transformative insights on coaching teams. He reveals how operational coaching can shift dynamics, allowing teams to approach problems with solutions, ultimately saving leaders 20-50% of their time. Learn about his STAR Model, which promotes inquiry and reflection, and discover how asking the right questions can unlock team potential and commitment, fostering independence and innovation in problem-solving.
Dominic Ashley-Timms introduces a revolutionary coaching method that transforms managers into leaders by encouraging team self-sufficiency through strategic questions.
The STAR Model emphasizes stopping to think before asking impactful questions, which enhances leadership and empowers team members to solve their own problems.
Adopting a coaching approach not only boosts team engagement but also allows leaders to reclaim 20-50% of their time for more critical tasks.
Deep dives
Introduction of New Coaching Methodology
A novel coaching method is introduced, emphasizing the transition from managing to leading. This method focuses on unlocking the potential of team members by encouraging them to find their own solutions rather than just providing answers. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by client-facing roles in dedicating time to relationship-building while managing internal pressure. The key takeaway is that by freeing up internal time, leaders can ultimately spend more time engaging with clients and fostering growth.
Understanding the Communication Modes
Effective communication shifts between three modes: advocating, inquiring, or observing. Depending on the situation, leaders must balance their time spent talking with listening and engaging team members in meaningful dialogue. For example, when leading a training session, a more advocacy-focused approach is beneficial, while during one-on-one interactions, inquiring is crucial. This adaptability helps ensure that managers facilitate deeper engagement, enabling team members to develop their own problem-solving skills.
Impact of Evidence-Based Training
Data collected from a comprehensive study reveals significant benefits for managers who adopt this new approach. Post-training, managers reportedly spend 70% more time coaching and engaging with their teams in their daily work. Additionally, the return on investment from this training is remarkable, averaging a 74-fold increase. This research underscores the necessity for updated training methods that adapt to changing workplace dynamics and the pressures managers face.
The STAR Model for Effective Engagement
The STAR model—Stop, Think, Ask, and Result—serves as a framework for enhancing leadership effectiveness through purposeful inquiry. It encourages managers to initially halt their instincts to provide answers, allowing them to engage team members with thoughtful questions. By guiding individuals to define their actions and securing their commitment, managers foster an environment of accountability and growth. This approach not only saves time but also empowers employees to take on challenges independently.
Practical Application of Purposeful Questions
Asking the right questions is crucial in stimulating team members’ thinking and improving collaboration. The podcast details how leaders can create impact by shifting from diagnostic questioning to provocative inquiries, helping individuals challenge their assumptions. For instance, leaders can ask, 'What might be holding you back from achieving this goal?' to encourage deeper reflection. These techniques are positioned as essential tools for leaders aiming to inspire creativity and problem-solving within their teams.
Have you ever wished your team would come to you with solutions instead of problems? In this episode, I sit down with Dominic Ashley-Timms , co-author of The Answer is a Question, to discuss how a simple shift in how you engage with your team can save you time, build confidence in others, and transform your impact from manager to leader. Dominic shares a groundbreaking method of “operational coaching” that replaces reactive solutions with questions that unlock potential. Drawing on years of research and proven results, Dominic explains how this powerful method can free up 20-50% of your time—so you can focus on what really matters, whether it's growth targets, client relationships, or innovation.
We break down Dominic’s “STAR Model,” a proven framework to stop, think, ask, and get results. Plus, Dominic shares some of the most provocative questions you can ask to change context, challenge barriers, and unleash your team’s ability to solve their own problems. If you’re ready to transform how you lead, this episode will give you the tools to engage differently and achieve more—without working harder.
Topics We Cover in This Episode:
How to save 20-50% of your time as a leader
Why solving your team’s problems for them is holding everyone back
How the STAR model turns everyday conversations into coaching moments
The simple question that boosts commitment and follow-through
Why “low-power” questions are your secret leadership blind spot
What happens when you challenge your team’s assumptions with a question
If you want to dive deeper into Dominic’s transformative approach, check out his book, The Answer is a Question. To take it even further, explore starmanager.global here.
Don’t miss this opportunity to reshape how you lead, engage your team, and free up time for what truly matters!