Taking A Coach Approach to Leadership
Rethinking Leadership for Modern Organisations
In today’s complex organisations, particularly with the move to hybrid working, few leaders are working with neatly intact teams. Collaboration now spans functions, locations, and time zones, and that means the old “command and control” style of leadership simply doesn’t fit.
That’s where taking a coach approach to leadership comes in. This is a shift in mindset that transforms how leaders think, communicate, and empower others.
Coaching and Leadership: Rethinking the Modern Mindset
Many leaders still operate in what I call Hero Leader mode, believing that because they’ve succeeded through expertise and delivery, they must continue to be the one with the answers. They step in to fix, rescue, and control, which can create dependency and frustration within their teams.
This pattern is rarely intentional. It’s often driven by the fear of letting go of what made them successful. But when leaders cling to control, they limit the growth of others as well as themselves. Over time, this leads to micro-management and team disengagement.
To build high-performing, self-sustaining teams, leaders must shift their role identity from hero to enabler.
What It Means to Develop a Coaching Culture
Leaders who embrace coaching and leadership as interconnected practices understand that their greatest impact comes not from doing, but from developing others.
They create environments where people can think for themselves, contribute their best ideas, and take ownership of their performance. This doesn’t mean leaders stop leading; it means they lead differently.
Coaching and Leadership in Practice: Three Core Skills
1. Ask questions, don’t give answers.
Powerful questions spark new thinking. When leaders stop telling and start asking, they unlock creativity and accountability. Team members are far more motivated to deliver on ideas they’ve developed themselves.
2. Practise humility.
It’s okay not to have all the answers. In fact, believing others may have better solutions is a mark of confident leadership. Coaching-minded leaders create space for diverse perspectives and encourage collaboration that serves the whole organisation, not just their own agenda.
3. Listen with curiosity.
True listening builds trust. Go beyond surface-level updates and be curious about what’s really going on for your people. Understanding their challenges and aspirations is what allows you to guide them effectively.
When to Use a Coach Approach
So when is this useful? The short answer: almost always.
But it’s particularly effective when:
You want to develop emerging leaders
You’re managing through change or uncertainty
You’re building collaboration across departments
You want to reduce dependency and increase ownership
Telling people what to do is a hard habit to break, but transformation starts with one small shift. Next time you feel tempted to jump in with the answer, pause and ask:
“What do you think we should do?”
You might be surprised at what happens next.
Building a Coaching and Leadership Culture
A coach approach to leadership isn’t just an individual skillset; it’s the foundation for a healthy leadership culture. When organisations invest in coaching and leadership development that combines emotional intelligence, reflection, and feedback, the ripple effect is profound.
Teams perform better. Collaboration strengthens. Leaders stay resilient.
If this is something your organisation is exploring, you may want to learn more about:
Leadership Development – building capability and culture at every level
Senior Team Coaching – helping leadership teams work as one
Enneagram Coaching – unlocking new perspectives for leaders and teams
Women in Leadership Coaching – empowering female leaders to thrive
Ready to Lead Differently?
Great leadership doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from asking the right questions.
That’s the essence of a coaching culture and it’s what transforms good managers into exceptional leaders.
If your organisation is ready to build that kind of leadership culture, contact Mojo Coaching and Leadership. Together, we’ll help your leaders think, listen, and lead in a new way.