Erickson gradate, Executive Coach, and ICF México ex-President, Geovana Ortega, writes about the delicate balance of  performance without compromising on employee development

When leading a work team, our primary focus is on the people who comprise it. Human capital is the most valuable asset a company can possess, and leaders must be the first to have clarity on how to nurture it. Strategies should not solely focus on achieving targets, but also on the transformation of leaders and company members along the path to reaching those goals. It is therefore crucial to balance performance without compromising or neglecting employee development.

Below are some key insights that coaching offers to help you achieve objectives while maintaining the personal integrity of the team.

Dilemmas: Results vs. Human Dignity

Deciding what is most important for the team is a topic that generates considerable tension for leaders who must seek a balance between immediate performance and team well-being. Another dilemma they face is the need to accelerate processes to meet quick objectives, potentially at the expense of team alienation, versus opting for sustainable development by managing staff burnout.

Some leaders are torn between being admired for success or respected for their integrity. It must be understood that achievements are quantifiable, but trust is something built and earned day by day. A leader with a compassionate, integral character and a willingness to serve reflects superior organizational performance. Ethical leadership that incorporates a human focus, sustainability, and contributes to the company's financial development is achievable.

Sustaining people

We are all people - both leaders and team members - therefore, leadership is also a human endeavor whose core objective must be focused on supporting the human growth of its teams. Organizations that invest equally in people and results present a sustainable competitive advantage. The key to this type of humanistic leadership lies in actions that demonstrate genuine concern for the team, which strengthens collaboration and trust. When a leader sustains people from a place of integrity and dignity, they achieve their objectives and, moreover, empower and inspire the evolution of their employees.

Building flexibility into the process

The inherent ups and downs of the human condition do not permit a rigid choice between strategy or people; on the contrary, they work best when the process becomes flexible and adapts to the capabilities of the leader and their team. Effective leadership varies according to the team's maturity and disposition. That is why a good leader must be flexible to find a middle ground between strategy implementation, direct leader intervention, and active listening, as well as providing space for people to express their viewpoints. Having elastic processes creates a balance between demanding excellence with humanity, efficiency with respect, and ambition with care.

Through various coaching tools, such as meaningful feedback, a culture can be cultivated where performance and dignity go hand in hand. One of the pillars of a human leader's global strategy could be to cultivate integrity, compassion, and service toward their collaborators. This is achieved when there is clarity that supporting and caring for people is the path to achieving success built collectively. Sustainable leadership is that which achieves objectives and develops people, generating a profound and lasting impact on both human capital and the organization.

ABOUT GEOVANA

Geovana is an executive coach who firmly believes in leadership that combines strategy, science, and humanity. For 20 years, she has supported executives and high-performing teams in developing their potential through a professional and ethical coaching approach.

As the former President of the International Coaching Federation Mexico, she has driven the professionalization of coaching in Mexico. Today, through her practice and speaking engagements, she shares tools that help leaders elevate their performance without losing sight of their well-being.

She also collaborates with media outlets such as MIT, Forbes, and Emprendedor, and is currently part of a global group advising on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in coaching.

Her purpose is clear: for leaders to enjoy both their professional growth and their lives.

To follow and connect with Geovana on LinkedIn, visit her profile.