In a 2021 Harvard Business Review article titled “The Leader as Coach,” the authors argue: “An effective manager-as-coach asks questions instead of providing answers, supports employees instead of judging them, and facilitates their development instead of dictating what has to be done.” The landscape of leadership continuously changes as the challenges become larger, people more complex, and results increasingly important. With those changes the shift in leadership style should also change. Here are five strategies the coaching leader uses for results:
- Shared Vision: A coaching leadership style requires developing a shared vision for everyone. These leaders don’t tell their people what the vision is for the future. Together, the leader and the people develop the vision together in order to create strong investment and empowerment over the vision. Through a shared understanding, everyone in the organization works together to create change. What does creating a shared vision look like?
- Utilizes Teams: Implementing a coaching leadership style means organizing and using teams of people. The leader often develops these small groups and teams based on strengths, encouraging people to join, or asking for volunteers. Developing teams this way creates empowerment among the people to invest in the topic. Together, these groups work on creating change in critical areas. How strategically do you develop small teams and work groups?
- Asks Questions: Great leaders as coaches ask many questions in order to gather feedback from their people. Every interaction is an opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable data on specific areas within the organization. Instead of always giving the answer, these leaders ask questions in order to have more answers around important topics. Asking questions also provides opportunities to listen which is critical in great leadership. How consistently do you ask questions rather than give answers?
- Consistent Feedback: The best coaches use consistent and continuous feedback to help their people improve. Consider the way a football, baseball, or basketball coach teaches the game: a player does something incorrectly, and they immediately provide feedback on how to improve. Organizations always have areas for improvement, and the leaders who use key moments to provide feedback help their people improve. How effectively do you provide actionable feedback?
- Push Thinking: The leader as a coach pushes people to the edge of their thinking. Great coaches often understand how to push their people enough to help them grow, but not enough to frustrate them or leave them feeling upset. They understand the balance required to help people improve their way of thinking that better leads to results. How often do you challenge and push people to think differently?
The leader as a coach provides unique benefits such as empowering people to create the positive change they want. These leaders create exceptional clarity around vision, ask great questions, and push thinking to improve. Because leadership challenges have dramatically changed over time, leaders must also evolve in order to move the organization forward.
What characteristics align with the coaching leadership style?