Coaching as a leader

What is it?

Coaching, (through care, listening, questioning, and support) is an important part of our behavior as we become more experienced as leaders. However, there are challenges in being leader as coach, as opposed to being an independent coach:

  • It’s just one component of your job: so sensing when to be in coach mode is important

  • Boundaries: you are not just a coach to your staff, if they report to you. Boundary setting is key

  • Self as coach: it takes considerable time to develop the skill of coaching requiring commitment

 Areas I often explore with leaders who are using coaching in some form are; how to structure coaching, when to coach, when to signal coaching, presence, empathy, boundaries, somatic awareness, challenging, feelings, reflection and evaluation.

How might you develop it?

First, you may explore this topic with your own coach, to clarify your motivations, goals and how you may approach this element of your role as a leader. Some factors that may be important: 

  1. How you introduce, communicate and set expectations on coaching for your team

  2. Your structure

  3. Your time management and timing

  4. Separating coaching from feedback

  5. Acknowledging progression

  6. Building trust

While it can be challenging to balance the responsibilities of hiring, firing, and managing, with being leader as coach, it is becoming increasingly important for organizations to leverage internal and external coaching as a means of developing their teams and fostering a positive work environment. My clients often want to work with their teams and also develop their own coaching style and build a culture that is more open to feedback, support and a culture of high coachability.

Key References and Research on Coaching in Leadership

  1. Books:

    • "The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever" by Michael Bungay Stanier: A practical guide to coaching in leadership, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions.

    • "Becoming a Professional Coach: Lessons from the Field" by Louis A. Molinar: Provides insights into the foundational skills and strategies that make coaching effective in a leadership context.

    • "Co-Active Coaching" by Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, and Phillip Sandahl: A comprehensive guide to the co-active coaching model, focusing on deep partnership and collaboration between the coach and the leader.

    • "The Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey: While not a traditional leadership book, this classic explores the power of self-awareness and inner dialogue, both key elements of coaching.

  2. Key Research:

    • International Coach Federation (ICF): Research studies on the effectiveness of coaching, including the impact on leadership development, team performance, and organizational outcomes.

    • Harvard Business Review (HBR): Studies on leadership coaching, such as "The Benefits of Coaching for Leaders", which explores how coaching enhances leadership effectiveness and helps leaders navigate complex challenges.

    • Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Research on executive coaching and how it improves decision-making, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills among leaders.

    • The Institute of Coaching: Research on how coaching enhances emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and performance in leadership roles.

  3. Publications:

    • Harvard Business Review: Articles like "The Right Way to Coach Employees" and "Why Executive Coaching Works" focus on the evidence-based benefits of coaching for leadership development.

    • McKinsey & Company: Reports on leadership coaching in organizations, highlighting the business impact of leadership development programs and coaching interventions.

    • Forbes: Features articles on how coaching helps leaders unlock potential, improve performance, and overcome challenges in a competitive landscape.

  4. Podcasts:

    • "The Coaching Habit Podcast" by Michael Bungay Stanier: Covers strategies for effective coaching conversations and how to develop a coaching mindset as a leader.

    • "The Coaching Show" by Performance Coach: Discusses coaching techniques and insights for leaders, including how to build high-performing teams and navigate leadership challenges.

    • "The Leadership Coaching Group Podcast": Features interviews with top coaches and leaders, focusing on how coaching can support leadership development and organizational growth.

    • "Masterful Coaching" by Robert Hargrove: Focuses on mastering the art of coaching in a leadership context, highlighting methods for driving change and growth.