Unlocking Potential: The Power of a Coaching Mindset in Leadership

By Siobhan Smith

Co-President of Catapult

The coaching mindset leadership style is essential in today’s work environment because it aligns with the values of empowerment, collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement that are critical for success in a rapidly changing world and for retaining talent. It not only enhances individual and team performance, but also contributes to a positive organizational culture based on trust, accountability, and inclusivity.

Let’s explore what it means to embrace this mindset and how it can drive success in organizations.

Understanding the Need for the Coaching Mindset—It is what employees want

A study conducted by Peppercom in conjunction with DePaul University revealed that employees across generations desire more coaching from their leaders. Key findings from the study showed:

  • 62% of employees want their leaders to motivate them
  • 53% seek guidance and education on their career journey
  • 50% desire opportunities to learn and grow

And a striking 66% of Gen Z employees prefer leaders who coach and motivate them.

These statistics highlight a clear preference for a leadership style that incorporates coaching. Employees are not just looking for direction; they are looking for mentors who can guide, motivate, and help them grow.

The Benefits of Coaching in Organizations

Organizations that effectively train their leaders to adopt a coaching style are 130% more likely to achieve stronger business results, according to the Niagara Institute. Despite this, there is a notable gap between the training received and the perceived impact on performance:

  • 73% of leaders received training on the coaching-style of leadership.  Leadership Development programs seem to know this and emphasize this competency
  • However, only 23% felt that coaching had a significant impact on performance and job satisfaction

This gap prompts us to question why the coaching style isn’t as effective as it could be. We asked this important question and found that leaders know it is a desired approach, however coaching takes time, and it is often not prioritized, role modeled, or incentivized.  This highlights an important distinction: coaching needs to be a mindset, not just a style.

The shift to a coaching mindset

For leaders to be effective, they must start with themselves:

  • Know and live by your values
  • Develop a personal growth plan
  • Seek out coaches, networks, and mentors
  • Continue to learn from crucible moments in your career

Executives need to model this behavior, showing a commitment to personal and professional development. This commitment shows their team that they too are always learning and growing and reveals a vulnerability in knowing that they are not perfect. This authenticity sets the stage for a genuine coaching relationship.

The Power of ME

While leaders play a crucial role in coaching, the employee’s readiness and willingness to engage are equally important. A successful coaching relationship requires:

  • Self-awareness: Understanding one’s strengths and areas for growth
  • Mindset: Adopting a growth-oriented perspective
  • Emotional intelligence: Managing emotions and relationships effectively

Leaders can support this by creating an environment that encourages self-discovery and growth.

The Power of WE

Effective team coaching goes beyond individual interactions. It involves fostering:

  • Psychological safety: Ensuring a safe environment for sharing ideas and feedback
  • Teaming behaviors: Promoting collaboration and mutual support
  • Collective intelligence: Leveraging the diverse strengths of the team

Research, such as Google’s Project Aristotle, has shown that the most effective teams are not necessarily the smartest but those with leaders who prioritize psychological safety and team cohesion.

The Power of Common Purpose

A leader’s role extends to coaching the work itself, ensuring that team members are aligned with a common purpose. This involves:

  • Setting clear team standards
  • Monitoring progress and results
  • Implementing effective reward systems

At Catapult, we have seen the positive impact of incorporating the coaching mindset into our work. By being deliberate and intentional, we have created a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

A Client Success Story

One of our clients, who began partnering with us in 2018, serves as a prime example. They aimed to become a learning organization where the coaching mindset was embedded in their culture. Over six years, they have achieved remarkable results:

  • Increased ownership of Individual Development Plans from 25% to 75%
  • Observed steady improvements in engagement scores
  • Enhanced team effectiveness and project results

These outcomes underscore the value of investing in a coaching culture.

The coaching mindset is a powerful tool for transforming leadership and driving organizational success. By being deliberate, intentional, and curious, leaders can foster environments where employees thrive. As Ted Lasso wisely said, “Stay curious, not judgmental.” This curiosity and commitment to growth can lead to improved engagement, more development plans, better teaming, and superior work results.

At Catapult, we are dedicated to supporting leaders and teams on this journey, providing tools and resources to cultivate a coaching mindset culture. Embrace the power of a coaching mindset and watch your organization flourish while obtaining results.

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