One of the challenges of the coaching world has been the confusion over terminology. Just how is coaching different from or similar to other ‘helping by talking’ approaches like mentoring, training, instructing, consulting and counseling? Quite a lot has been written on this subject; some helpful, and some just create more confusion.

When we use the term ‘leadership coaching’ another definitional challenge emerges.

Can leaders really coach their staff team members in the way that we have defined coaching above? Well, yes, they can - though there are some particular challenges in this coaching relationship. Perhaps the biggest challenge here is in the real and perceived difference in power. If a leader has direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities in relation to a team member this condition will, at least to some extent, impact the nature of the coaching relationship.

In this situation it can be helpful to clarify what we see as a difference between ‘coaching’ and using a ‘coaching approach’. Can leaders coach team members? Given the power differential and all that this can mean, perhaps it might be more straightforward to find a different coach for the team member. In some cases it is definitely possible, as long as the coach is aware of the additional complexities that emerge when she is also in a supervisory role in relation to the coaching partner. Without doubt, however, all leaders can bring a ‘coaching approach’ to growth and learning conversations.

What do we mean by using ‘coaching approach?’

We define this as intentionally utilizing the transferable elements of coaching in other conversations wherever they might be appropriate and helpful. Some of these ‘transferable’ elements of coaching include:

• A focus on learning;
• A focus on what’s wanted;
• A focus on the present and the future, rather than the past;
• A focus on growing self-awareness and personal responsibility;
• A focus on the other person’s agenda and self-direction;
• A focus on providing both support and challenging other coaching skills, all of which, it almost goes without saying, will make a positive contribution to any human interaction.

(These skills are all in addition to the skills of active listening, questioning that provokes ‘aha’ moments, being present and the ‘beginner’s mind’ among other coaching skills, all of which -- it almost goes without saying -- will make a positive contribution to any human interaction.)

Many of these essential elements of coaching can be incorporated into a coaching approach. It is certainly possible, indeed highly desirable, if leaders bring these coaching elements to the way they engage in growth and learning conversations with team members.

A leader may therefore bring a coaching approach:

• where there are overt hierarchical differences in power;
• when working with groups or teams;
• in formal performance appraisal contexts;
• when in conversations with parents;
• when in conversations with students.

In fact, a coaching approach can potentially be used in any situation where someone wants something to be different but when the coaching nature of the conversation has not been made explicit. (Some of these other coaching contexts in school settings are explored more fully elsewhere (Campbell, 2016).

In this way we believe that a coaching approach provides a way of leading. Effective leaders have been incorporating these kinds of practices into their leadership approach for some time. But the focus on coaching skills and models provides a way of more precisely defining, sharpening and implementing these approaches in nuanced ways, adding even further value to our ways of leading.

How might you apply all the coaching skills and knowledge that you have learned in a range of other leadership contexts? What would others be noticing if you did this?

REFERENCES

Campbell, J. (2016). Coaching in Schools. In C. J. van Niewerburgh (Ed.), Coaching in Professional Contexts. London: Sage.

van Nieuwerburgh, C. (Ed.). (2012). Coaching in education: Getting better results for students, educators and parents. London: Karnac.

John Campbell is Executive Director of Growth Coaching International (an IOC Sponsor) and an IOC Founding Fellow.

Twitter: @gcieducation

LinkedIn: growth-coaching-international