Leaders Who Coach Improve Employee Engagement

“Gallup has discovered, through studying what the best managers do differently, that great managing is an act of coaching, not one of directing and administrating”

A significant increase in goal attainment, transformational leadership
and psychological well-being measures were observed for those who received
coaching”

In Brandon Hall Group’s 2015 research report, it was found 88% of organisations have a performance management strategy. Yet 71% say their current approach to performance management needs improvement or complete overhauling.

The Importance of Coaching Leadership Style

1. The Challenges Leaders Face in Adopting a Coaching Style

Leaders and managers frequently acknowledge the advantages of a coaching leadership style, primarily since it empowers and facilitates employees in realising their full potential. Nevertheless, numerous leaders feel constrained by a lack of time and resources to efficiently coach their teams, particularly amid the demanding pressures they face. Consequently, this may result in an increased dependence on more directive approaches. In such cases, leaders merely provide instructions or pose leading questions, ultimately overlooking the true benefits of an authentic coaching style.

2. The Efficiency of Skilled Coaching

Contrary to popular belief, effective coaching does not necessarily require more time when done well. By honing their coaching skills, leaders can seamlessly integrate coaching into their day-to-day interactions with employees.

3. Key Coaching Competencies for Leaders

In order to cultivate a coaching culture, it is imperative that leaders develop and sustain crucial coaching competencies. Specifically, these encompass building trust, adhering to ethical standards, and practising active listening. Consequently, these foundational skills pave the way for robust communication and heightened employee engagement.

4. Building a Coaching Culture through Training

Investing in training for managers and leaders to learn coaching skills is crucial for nurturing a coaching culture. This training should focus on:

1. 1. Active listening skills
   2. Encouraging deep listening and demonstrating understanding
   3. Shifting from a transactional to a transformational management style
   4. Developing mindfulness techniques for effective day-to-day decision-making

5. The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Assessments

Emotional intelligence coaching can benefit from incorporating behavioural and personality assessments. These assessments promote self-awareness and facilitate in-depth exploration without requiring extensive coaching sessions.

6. Leaders Learning Through Personal Coaching

The most effective way for leaders to develop their coaching capabilities is to receive coaching themselves, either from a superior or a qualified coach. This personal coaching experience allows leaders to observe and learn the right behaviours in action, equipping them to better implement a coaching style with their teams.

Implementing A Coaching Leadership Style

1. Creating a Supportive Environment

To successfully implement a coaching leadership style, it is vital to create a supportive and inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. This can be achieved by fostering psychological safety, promoting open communication, and encouraging a growth mindset within the team.

2. Setting Clear Expectations and Goals

Coaching leaders must set clear expectations and goals for their team members. By defining expectations and aligning individual goals with the organisation’s objectives, leaders can ensure that employees have a clear direction and understand their role in contributing to the organisation’s success.

3. Providing Continuous Feedback and Recognition

Effective coaching leaders prioritise continuous feedback and recognition. They take the time to provide constructive feedback, celebrate employee achievements, and ensure that team members feel valued for their contributions. This approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, ultimately leading to higher levels of employee engagement and performance.

4. Encouraging Peer Coaching and Collaboration

In addition to providing one-on-one coaching, leaders can encourage peer coaching and collaboration among team members. This helps build a sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility, allowing employees to learn from one another and collectively improve their skills and performance.

5. Evaluating the Impact of Coaching Leadership

To measure the success of implementing a coaching leadership style, organisations should establish key performance indicators (KPIs) related to employee engagement, performance, and overall satisfaction. By monitoring these KPIs, leaders can assess the effectiveness of their coaching efforts and make adjustments as needed to ensure continuous improvement and long-term success.

Adopting a coaching leadership style is not only good for employees but also for the overall success of an organisation. By investing in training, creating a supportive environment, setting clear outcomes, giving feedback, and encouraging collaboration, leaders can foster a coaching culture that drives employee engagement, performance, and organisational growth.