Taking A Coach Approach to Leadership

For some organisations a ‘Coach Approach’ to leadership is a way of better managing cross-functional teams. It is rare for most to lead intact teams, particularly with the move to hybrid working and global structures. 

So what is a coach approach to leadership? To my mind the most important aspect to look at is leader mindset. Many are stuck in ‘Hero Leader’ mode, believing they can deliver better than anyone else. They create dependency from direct reports. This approach results in micro-management, disempowered frustrated teams and leaders that are close to burnout. 

Many are well intentioned, but their habit of ‘rescuing’ others keeps them in a comfort zone of delivering what is familiar and what they are good at. Persuading these leaders to pass the baton and let someone more junior step up requires them to confront the fear of letting go of that which got them to a senior level in the first place. For organisations to flourish they need to keep learning and for leaders to learn they have to risk stepping into new territory. 

A leader wanting to adopt a coach approach must adjust their mindset and accept a new role identity - that of enabler of others. These leaders understand their role to be one that creates the best environment for others to thrive in. 

These leaders do not provide solutions but instead use 3 core skills to get the best from their teams: 

Ask questions 

By asking good thought-provoking questions we can stimulate others to do ‘fresh thinking’ for themselves. Challenge others to achieve their own objectives. They will be far more motivated to deliver on their own ideas. 

Practice humility

Be ok with not having the answers. Believe that others have different and possibly better solutions than you do. Encourage solutions that serve the good of the whole rather than your own agenda.  

Listen

Build trust by really being curious about those you lead. What’s going on in their world? How can you help them be their best?  

I wonder how often you ask rather than tell?

When might taking a coach approach be a better option?

Telling is a hard habit to break. Start by asking a few more questions.