What is a Leader Coach?

So what exactly is a Leader Coach?

A leader coach is a leadership style or approach where a leader uses coaching skills and techniques to guide, support, and develop their team members. Unlike traditional leadership methods that may rely more on directive and authoritative styles, a leader coach focuses on empowering people and teams, fostering their professional growth, and enhancing their performance through coaching principles. Leadership isn't always about hierarchy; anyone who influences another person to improve is leading. Here are some key aspects of a leader coach:

Characteristics of a Leader Coach using the LEADER Coaching Model

Listen:

• Practice active and empathetic listening to understand team members' perspectives and concerns.

• Engage in open, two-way communication.

• Demonstrate empathy and understanding of their perspectives, reality and challenges.
  

Explore

• Create a safe and supportive environment: where team members feel comfortable expressing ideas and taking risks.

• Ask powerful questions: using open-ended questions to stimulate thinking and self-reflection.

• Encourage collaboration and teamwork.
  

Action:

• Clarify expectations: clearly articulate what is expected in terms of actions, behaviours, and outcomes.

• Set milestones: break down goals into smaller, manageable milestones. This makes the progress trackable and helps maintain momentum.

• Collaborative goal setting: work with the individual to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

Decide:

• Guidance over directions: decide what needs to change to reach the desired outcome and encourage the individual to make their own decisions.

• Provide guidance and support as needed but avoid giving direct answers.

• Help them explore different options and evaluate the potential outcomes of each.

Experiment:

• Encourage and empower team members to take initiative and come up with their own solutions, experimenting with doing things differently.

• Promote a sense of ownership and accountability among team members.

Reflect:

• Reflect and review progress: encourage the individual to reflect on what they have learned, acknowledge and celebrate milestones and achievements. This boosts morale and motivation.

• Feedback and recognition: identify what’s working, provide regular, constructive feedback aimed at improving performance.

Benefits of Leader Coaching in the workplace

Increased Engagement:Employees and team members feel valued and supported, leading to higher levels of engagement and motivation.

Improved Performance: By focusing on development and growth, leader coaches can help team members enhance their skills and performance.

Greater Innovation: A supportive and empowering environment encourages creativity and innovation.

Stronger Relationships: Building trust and open communication strengthens relationships between the leader and team members.

Higher Retention Rates: Employees and teams who feel developed and appreciated are more likely to stay with the organization.

Examples of Leader Coach Practices

• Regular One-on-One Meetings: Conducting regular check-ins with team members to discuss progress, challenges, and development opportunities.

• Setting Development Goals: Collaboratively setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for professional growth.

• Asking Powerful Questions: Using open-ended questions to encourage reflection and self-discovery among team members.

• Providing Resources: Offering access to training, workshops, and other resources that support development.

• Modelling Behaviour: Demonstrating the attitudes and behaviours expected from team members, serving as a role model for continuous learning and improvement.

By incorporating these practices, leader coaches can effectively support teams in achieving both individual and organizational success.