Thoughts on the Who and How of Leadership Coaching

What do you think of when you think about leadership coaching?  Probably the context of business is what comes to mind.  But leadership is an art and a skill set that your clients can use in many areas of life.  Sure, you might be a business coach helping an executive or a branch manager to increase productivity in her team, but you could just as easily be a parenting coach helping a dad figure out how to blend an argumentative, stressed out family into a harmonious and happy unit  The mindset and skills of leadership can be effective tools in the arsenals not just of business coaches, but of parenting coaches, relationship coaches, personal development coaches, and the list goes on.

Demonstrate Leadership to Your Clients by Example

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When you coach, who is responsible for keeping the session focused on your client’s goals?  Who structures the session?  Who manages or uses the emotions that come up?  That’s right, you–it’s your job.  You are the leader.

Think about the qualities you need to have as a successful coach.  You are focused on helping your client get what he wants, not on getting what you want.  You are open minded and non-judgmental, willing to listen and pay attention to what your client is saying.  You demonstrate integrity by keeping your coaching appointments at the day and time you set, and by staying focused on your client during your sessions.  You know when to push and when to back off.  You know when to be a shoulder to cry on and when to be a tough accountability coach.  You spend time on building rapport, but you don’t waste time without a purpose.  You demonstrate respect and expect it in return.  Etc. etc. etc.

With the obvious additions of coaching knowledge and skills, a great coach looks a lot like a great leader.  When you demonstrate the behaviors, expectations and mindset of a leader in your coaching sessions, you are already half way to success in your leadership coaching.

In Leadership Coaching You Become Part of Your Client’s Peer Group

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In order to sustain a long-term shift in behavior and mindset, your leadership coaching client will benefit from being part of a peer group of successful leaders, willing and able to mentor and support each other over time.  Part of your job as a coach is to help your client find a way to associate with such a peer group.  And guess what?  You are a great fit.  Of course as a coach, you have specific, additional skills, and you get paid by your client, but as long as you don’t get caught up in an ego trip, you can be model, mentor and peer in many positive aspects of leadership.  Be an example in your leadership coaching, and challenge your client to extend his peer group and find other leaders with the qualities he sees in you.

Give this strategy a try and see for yourself that it works.   If you liked this coaching tip, leave a comment or use the handy bookmark buttons below to share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, etc. Thanks!

Dorine G. Kramer

JTS Advisors Certified Strategy and Accountability Coach