I recently completed the 3×4 Coaching training for leaders through Third Factor, and it has been a transformative experience for my leadership approach. One of the most impactful aspects was being prompted to identify a leader I model after, which helped me clarify my own leadership values and actions.

The training emphasized the importance of encouraging employees to do their best and continually improve their competency. I’ve learned the power of sharing and collaborating not only within my team but also across other teams, fostering a more connected and innovative work environment.

One of the key skills I gained is the ability to engage in meaningful personal discussions with employees, learning about their likes and dislikes to promote a healthier, more productive environment. By asking the right questions, I’ve been able to better understand how my team members problem-solve, which has strengthened both our performance and processes to achieve the desired outcomes and shape a stronger culture.

The program reinforced that clarity, competence, and recognition are crucial for helping teams and their members achieve greatness. Asking thoughtful questions and listening intently has helped me encourage better communication and collaboration across the team.

Thanks to this training, I feel more equipped to lead in a way that inspires growth and creates a thriving, engaged culture.

-Wallace Elston, Acuity Brands

The 3×4 Coaching program has honed my intuitive management style, providing clear frameworks and precise language.

The feedback module, emphasizing specific, behavior-oriented feedback, has been a game-changer, adding valuable mental frameworks to my leadership toolkit. This enhancement has markedly improved my capability to guide and inspire my teams effectively.

-Ethan Trawick

As a busy leader, I often find myself jumping from one meeting to the next. In the past, I would sometimes enter 1-on-1 meetings unprepared, resulting in ineffective discussions.

However, after participating in the 3×4 Coaching program, I came to realize the importance of being a great coach and providing valuable feedback, which requires proper preparation for these conversations. The tools provided in this course have enabled me to enhance the quality of my interactions with my peers, ultimately leading to stronger and more trusting relationships with them.

-David Beaulieu

I have been focused on Developmental Bias by intentionally working on being a safe person for others to trust. I am focused on listening with the intent to make sure I value people for who they are. I am accepting them where they are at, and having better conversations as a result.

The engagement in the team seems to be improving and I feel we have made monumental improvements related to recognition by focusing our new agile approach to projects/ management. (Celebrating smaller wins, and reiterating, along with genuine gratitude for effort as well as wins. This seems to be a catalyst to greater curiosity).

Bottom line, realizing that by being intentional and present, we can have profound improvements in connectivity and trust.

-Brady Joe Fields

As I stood there, watching the Helium Pole exercise, it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I had been so focused on getting things done, on being the ultimate do-er, that I had forgotten about the human side of consulting.

It wasn’t enough to simply provide a solution – I needed to connect with my clients, to understand their emotions and motivations, and to help guide them through the process. Sure, I knew my stuff. I was reliable, knowledgeable, and smart – but what good is all of that if I couldn’t connect with the people I was working with?

It was time to rethink my approach, to become more than just an ad-hoc help desk. I wanted to be a top consultant, recognized not just for my technical expertise, but for my ability to connect with people and help them achieve their goals.

So, after I came back from the coaching workshop, I took a deep breath and decided to embrace the softer side of consulting. I started asking more questions, listening more, and empathizing with my clients. I discovered that by taking the time to understand their needs and concerns, I was able to provide even better solutions. And, to my surprise, people still loved me – maybe even more than before.

Now, I’m not just a do-er – I’m a listener, a root-cause-solver, and a coach. I still get hit with technical questions left and right, but now I’m also the go-to person for personal ones. And you know what? My solutions and recommendations seem to be sticking a lot better! Who knew that a helium pole could be so enlightening?

-Molly Chen