As the name suggests, the coaching leadership style is a style in which leaders assume the role of coach. Under this type of leadership, the leader invests his time and energy in the development of individual team members. They also show them how their role plays a role in the strategy of the larger team. However, in the 21st century workplace, this strict management leadership style doesn't really align with the priorities of most organizations, which is why leadership coaching is becoming more widespread.
This leadership style focuses on developing people, encouraging the learning process and focusing on long-term improvements. Companies recognize the value of this approach and invest more in training leaders to be coaches. A coaching leadership style is the approach that creates a culture of high performance. The characteristics of this culture are collaboration, empowerment and fulfillment.
Collaboration is the most important of these characteristics and is often contrasted with a command-and-control approach that stifles potential. This training style is recognizable by its commitment to partnership and collaboration. Leaders behave like coaches, communicate well, allow creativity and motivate and allow staff the autonomy necessary to make decisions and do good work. Short-term firefighting is replaced by long-term strategic thinking (Berg %26 Karlsen, 201).
Leaders capable of training are sought because they motivate, inspire, involve and appreciate their teams on the path to success. Finally, the leadership style as a coach is about empowering individuals and teams to do their best. Usually, when leaders are coaches, they focus on helping their team win both short- and long-term wins. Also, as we mentioned before, coaching leadership is all about two-way communication, so make sure you're equally responsive when answering questions.
One of the most important aspects of the coaching leadership style is being able to effectively provide feedback. The bottom line is that a leadership style as a coach doesn't fit the mold of what many people see as a “traditional leader”. An experienced lead coach can encourage balanced thinking and point out biases that don't help or harm. Training leaders focus on getting the best out of their teams by guiding them through goals and obstacles.
Even if you're not going to use this leadership style all the time, having that skill in your back pocket will be incredibly valuable to your company.
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