By Vikki Brock (USA)
For the past 20 years, there are numerous programs that sought to train leaders to be coaches. While commendable, coaching is only one of many roles such as training, facilitation, directing, mentoring etc., that are included in leadership. A “Coaching Approach to Leadership” is an innovative idea that leads to a more effective leadership style, encourages employee engagement, raises productivity, and brings humanness to the workplace.
Coaching Approach Definition
Some terms used to describe a coaching approach to leadership are: collaborative, open, appreciative, presence, values, inside out, trust, authenticity, alignment, culture…. As you can see, a ‘coaching approach’ is not a tool – it is a way of being and interacting. The purpose of this article is to raise your awareness so that you, too, can be at choice to use a coaching approach to your leadership and/or the leadership within your company.
We will begin by defining the terms “leadership” and “coaching.”
First, leadership is influence with or without formal authority. You might be asking, “What does this really mean?”
- Ability to adapt the setting so everyone feels empowered to contribute creatively to solving the problems.
- Activity of leading a group of people or an organization through establishing and sharing a vision, then providing information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision.
- Stepping up in times of crisis
- Thinking and acting creatively in difficult situations.
- Organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal (with or without formal authority)
- Getting others to see the world from your perspective, and then take action.
- Influencing to improve the quality of life for other people.
