The Advantages of a Coaching Leadership Style

The word 'coach' draws images of dedicated men and women screaming on the sidelines of a game, suggesting plays and offering advice to sweaty players on a basketball, football, or soccer field. But, nowadays, coaching does not only refer to athletics; it is also a specific leadership style utilized by businesses the world over. What is it about coaching that makes it so attractive to leaders?

Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee may have the answer to this question. In Primal Leadership, Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee identify coaching as one of six emotional leadership styles. They describe the coaching leader as someone who connects personal goals to those of a larger group, company, or organization. Coaches delegate work, recognize strengths and weaknesses in their team members, and serve as cheerleaders of sorts, urging their charges to give their all.

When used in conjunction with the other five leadership styles the authors identify, coaching leads to productive employees and strong future leaders. If not done correctly, however, coaching in a career setting can come across too strong. It can seem controlling. Coaching is best for people who need guidance and can develop over long periods of time.

In a work environment as on the playing field, coaching is often thought of as one person leading a team of people. But one-on-one coaching is popular in the workplace as well. Individual coaching occurs when a leader singles out a worker and offers advice. This practice is particularly rewarding because it targets specific need based on the capabilities of each person. The coach can determine the areas in which an employee excels and point him or her in the appropriate direction.

Coaching is often used in a business environment when new people are added to a team. At first, a coach can heavily supervise new hires, providing clear guidance in all activities. As the new staff becomes acclimated to the office environment, the coach can gradually taper his or her influence.

In addition to its usefulness in acquainting new hires to a work environment, coaching also leads to success. The amount of feedback given to employees by coaches guarantees strong performances. This also produces excellent leaders because the team being coached learns to emulate the coach's leadership style.

Overall, coaching is an excellent leadership method when done by the right person. A good coach in the business world motivates his team and offers guidance, much like the sports coach we all know so well.