The Coaching Approach in Leadership – When is it Worth It?

Jan 17, 2025 6 min reading

Imagine the ideal boss – someone who inspires, listens, supports team goals, and is trusted by the entire team. Have you ever experienced that, or do you consider it more of a utopia? And what about you? Do you consider yourself a leader? Or better yet, does your team consider you a true leader?

Being a great leader today means more than just assigning tasks and monitoring performance. Modern leadership skills include the ability to create an environment in which both the team and individuals can professionally improve and together achieve, even surpass, the set goals. It is no wonder that coaching techniques are gaining importance – not only as a tool for developing managers but also for every individual employee. Coaching has thus become an indispensable skill for every successful leader.

What is Coaching?

Almost everyone has heard of coaching. You may be thinking that it is just another modern buzzword of today’s era. A word that sounds good in meetings, but no one exactly knows what to make of it? However, coaching is much more than just a trend. It is a process that helps individuals or teams find their own answers. The essence of coaching is to believe that people often already have the solutions; they just need the right space to discover them.

And What Does Leadership Mean?

And leadership? A great leader is someone who can support and create an environment where people are not afraid and want to grow professionally. It is a person who builds on trust rather than control. And this is where coaching plays a key role – it helps leaders awaken the potential in people that would otherwise remain untapped.

Coaching as an Invaluable Tool for Leaders

Coaching is not just a modern technique but an effective way to improve collaboration, increase performance, and overcome obstacles that may hinder team development. Properly applied coaching methods elevate the team to a higher level in terms of relationships, effectiveness, and managing change.

Team, performance, and behavioral coaching focus on improving collaboration, communication, productivity, and positive changes in behavior patterns. Developmental coaching supports long-term professional growth, while agile coaching helps the team quickly respond to changes and effectively prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment.

The Difference Between a Boss and a Leader – Why is it No Longer Enough to Just Be a Boss?

What do you imagine when you think of a boss? Someone who assigns tasks, checks results, and has authority because it has been granted to them by the Labor Code in §11? That’s exactly the kind of manager we know from textbooks on old-school management. But the world of work has changed, and what worked before is no longer enough. Why? Because employees, especially millennials and Generation Z, want something different. They are not just looking for a job. They are looking for opportunities to develop their natural talents. No more of the “boogeyman” tactics that worked on boomers; they won’t be successful here.

A boss assigns tasks and hopes someone will complete them. A leader asks, “How can I help you succeed?” Where the boss rules through authority and control, the leader builds on trust. While the boss may create fear of mistakes, the leader views them as opportunities to learn. And while the boss pushes for performance, the leader develops potential and encourages different approaches to solving problems and fosters discussion.

Situational Leadership – When is the Coaching Approach Appropriate?

Did you know that each individual on your team needs a different approach? And that even the same employee may need something different in various situations? That’s exactly the idea behind situational leadership, introduced by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. This model shows that no one leadership style works universally. Every team member has different skills, experiences, and motivation – and the leader must adjust their approach accordingly.

Situational leadership is about flexibility and the leader’s ability to respond to the specific needs of individuals. Hersey and Blanchard identified four basic leadership styles:

Directing (sometimes also called Telling) is characterized by clear instructions and control from the leader. It is suitable, for example, for newcomers who need step-by-step guidance.
Coaching (sometimes known as Selling) is an approach suited for employees with basic knowledge of the issue at hand but who need their confidence boosted.
Supporting (also known as Participating) is a style that emphasizes support and collaboration. It is primarily applied to those who already have knowledge and deeper experience but need encouragement or recognition.
Delegating is about transferring full responsibility to the employee. Perfect for very experienced and independent colleagues.

A Coaching Example in Practice:

Imagine Jane, a marketing specialist who handles smaller projects with ease. Now, however, she faces a challenge – she has to manage a large campaign involving social media, email marketing, graphics, and other activities. Jane has the knowledge to handle everything, but lacks experience with managing such a complex project. She feels overwhelmed, and self-doubt is undermining her motivation.
Jane does not need a boss who will dictate every step. She needs a leader who will help her find her own solutions.

“What worries you most about this campaign?” You may find that she doesn’t know where to start or is intimidated by the number of tasks.
“Which part of the project do you think will have the biggest impact on its success?” This helps her focus on the key steps.
And finally, remind her of her past successes: “Do you remember the project you succeeded with last year? What could you apply from that now?”
With this approach, Jane not only handles the challenge but also gains a healthy dose of confidence for the future.

What Can Happen When the Style is Applied Incorrectly?

Do you think the right approach to leadership will come naturally? Wrong. A poorly chosen leadership style can break your team apart rather than move it forward.

Now, imagine Martin, an overly motivated newcomer. We probably all know someone like that. He has enthusiasm but no experience. When you ask him, “How would you solve this task?”, he will likely be stunned – or dive into it recklessly and make mistakes. His confidence drops to zero, motivation disappears, and the results? A disaster. Martin needs clear guidance. Instead of asking, “How would you solve it?” teach him the basic steps.

Then there’s Peter, an experienced professional, who, when coached and motivated, may not really understand what you are trying to achieve. Such an employee needs trust and space. Without it, he quickly loses interest in the job – and perhaps even in staying with the team. Give him the space to implement his own ideas.

If you’re new to leadership, I definitely recommend looking for some training to help you get up to speed. You will find it either as Situational Leadership, but much more often under the English term Situational Leadership Training.

And What About Leaders Themselves?

“Leaders are not made, they are born.” Has this myth reached you as well? Leadership is not an innate talent but a skill that can be learned. Programs focused on coaching managers are a great opportunity to develop the key skills needed to lead teams, handle crises, and build trust.

How to Acquire Coaching Techniques and Develop Leadership?

Coaching and leadership courses: There are several coaching schools with different focuses, you just need to choose the style that makes the most sense to you.
Coaching certification: Consider obtaining an international certification such as ICF (International Coach Federation) or EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council).

Even Leaders Need Coaching

Leadership coaching improves key skills such as motivating the team or strategic thinking.
Transformational coaching helps leaders discover authenticity, empathy, and give their leadership a deeper meaning.
Executive coaching prepares leaders to tackle challenging issues and strategically manage change.

Coaching and leadership go hand in hand. Today, people are no longer satisfied with just a paycheck. They seek meaning, room for professional development, and a leader who will guide them on this journey. Coaching techniques are not just an advantage but an essential tool for every true leader. Thanks to them, you will create a motivated team that is ready to overcome even the toughest challenges.