Five Key Principles for Successful Coaching as a Leader

I was coaching a client last week on how to improve team performance and referred to the Myles Downey concept of Enabling Leadership where he explains that a successful leader focusses on Leadership, Management and Coaching and shows that time spent on all three of these activities is required to ensure the team understand why they do what they do, what they need to do and how they do what is required successfully. This last part is the coaching. I have come up with five key principles for successful coaching of a team member and would like to share these with you as I believe that this is the area of leadership that is often neglected.
1. Build Trust and Rapport: Successful coaching begins with establishing a foundation of trust and rapport between the leader and their team members. You must create an open and non-judgmental environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations. You should actively listen to understand their perspectives, and demonstrate empathy to foster a strong connection. Trust is the foundation of effective coaching, as it lays the groundwork for open communication and collaboration in the future.
2. Set Clear Goals and Expectations: As a leader-coach, it’s crucial to set clear and specific goals for both individual team members and the team as a whole. You should clearly articulate expectations, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Work collaboratively to establish SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that align with both individual development and organisational objectives. This clarity provides a roadmap for progress and helps team members stay focused on their priorities. These should help clarify what needs to be done and what the success criteria are.
3. Provide Constructive Feedback: Effective coaching involves offering timely and constructive feedback to guide individuals towards improvement. Instead of focusing solely on mistakes, highlight strengths and areas for growth. Frame feedback in a positive and developmental manner, emphasising the impact on performance and linking it to the achievement of goals. You should foster a culture where feedback is a two-way street, encouraging team members to share their perspectives and insights as well. Marshall Goldsmith uses the phrase feedforward to help you to realise that the focus should be on how they get to perform better rather than just reviewing the past.
4. Encourage Continuous Learning: A leader-coach promotes a culture of continuous learning and development within the team. You should encourage team members to seek out opportunities for skill enhancement and professional growth. You can provide access to resources, training programs, and mentorship to support their learning journeys and demonstrate a commitment to your own ongoing development, reinforcing the importance of a growth mindset within the organization. Sharing stories of what you have learnt and sharing ideas for them to learn from also help with this.
5. Celebrate Achievements and Successes: Recognise and celebrate both individual and collective achievements to reinforce positive behaviour and motivate continued success. You should acknowledge milestones, no matter how small, and express genuine appreciation for the efforts put forth. Celebrating successes fosters a positive work environment and boosts team morale. It also reinforces the connection between individual contributions and the overall success of the team. Successful leaders actively look for opportunities to thank their team.
In conclusion, effective coaching is a dynamic and ongoing part of the leadership process that not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to the overall success of the team and the organisation.
I hope that you have found this an interesting and enlightening read. Please contact me on 07511 969690 or e-mail rogerpemberton@actioncoach.com if this raises further questions for you.