The Coaching Gameplan

A good leadership coach understands the client’s needs.

Their culture
Their organizational structure
They’ve learned about the dynamics that are driving the need for this new leadership role.

Compared to Training, leadership coaching doesn’t assume the starting point, doesn’t assume everyone is starting at level 1 and how they should progress through levels, 2, 3, 4 and so on. 

It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.

When I’m coaching a client, I’ve built a relationship with them.
I’ve invested time in getting to know about their journey;

If they know their Strengths
What type of leadership experience they’ve had
Who has been influential in their development
How they like to learn
How they prefer to receive feedback

This creates a foundation for respect, especially because I’m showing them the importance of making time to invest in them. 

I’ll remind them of that later.
And it shows them that I’m interested in them - not just as a client, but as a human.

When coaching new leaders, it’s so beneficial to let them reveal what they know and what they don’t know.

An experienced coach will pick up little clues about a new leader’s mindset about leadership.

And, because you’re ultimately working for the organization and you have the organization’s best interest in mind at all times, it provides a framework to help the new leader be successful.

Another difference between training and coaching is that training is typically destination based.

Coaching is direction based.
Destination based refers to having a defined start and end. 
It assumes that at the end of the training, everyone will be at the same level, will have learned the same.
But good trainers recognize that’s not true, and they create options for that.
Regardless, it still has an end. 
You may get a certificate upon completion stating you have arrived.

Leadership coaching is directionally based.

The start line and finish line are different for each person.
In fact, with directional based leadership coaching, there simply isn’t a finish line 
There may be a handoff to another coach;
There are milestones to track and celebrate progress,
But there is no arrival; no finish line.
There’s simply more to learn.

And that’s what leadership is all about.
Consistent learning. Constant growth.