The True Benefits of Leadership Coaching: Elevating Potential into Performance by Nick Roud, Award Winning Executive Leadership Coach, Auckland, New Zealand.
Leadership is one of the most important factors driving companies success, yet it’s also one of the most difficult skills to cultivate. What can look effortless to many, there is a fine art in honing leadership skills and that is where Award Winning Executive Coach Nick Roud steps in.
Despite the wealth of leadership theories, frameworks, and strategies available, the personal and transformational nature of leadership development remains elusive for many. Over the years people have shared with me that they see coaching as a sign of ‘I am not doing my role well enough Nick’ or if I don’t sort this out I am going to be asked to leave the company’! Rubbish I reply back.
Let’s be very frank from the start of today’s article. When an organisation invest in your professional leadership development it is a sure sign they want you around the for foreseeable future. They want you to be the very best that you can and must be. Your Board and or manager who sponsor you into 1:1 leadership coaching isn’t trying to get rid of you. Not at all.
My invitation is embrace it, throw your whole-self into the coaching engagement and commit to personally and professionally developing.
As companies increasingly realise the value and importance of leadership in achieving business outcomes, leadership coaching has emerged as a powerful tool for unlocking the potential of individual leaders and teams. You will hear many global CEOs sharing that they have an executive coach and that they hire a coach to work with them over many years. That coach remains a solid sounding board for thoughts, ideas and aspirations as well as follow up.
In this article, we explore the benefits of leadership coaching, why it works, and how companies large and small can leverage it to foster long-term success.
Welcome on in, grab a cup of tea and let’s get to work!
What Is Leadership Coaching?
Leadership coaching is a personalized, one-on-one developmental relationship between an executive coach (typically qualified and or certified to perform such work) and a leader, with the goal of enhancing the leader’s performance, behaviour, and mindset. Leadership coaching focuses on the whole person not just a competency of leadership. It focuses on helping leaders gain self-awareness, improve their skills, overcome challenges, and develop a deeper understanding of their impact on others.
Leadership coaching typically involves regular, structured conversations between the leader and the coach, wherein the leader reflects on their current situation, goals, and aspirations. It is not the job of a leadership coach to drive those meetings, it’s the ownership of the leader to come prepared and ready to get to work.
Typically in my 1:1 coaching, CEOs engage with me for 12 months, executives 9 months and emerging leaders 6 months. We are not about quick fixes that skirt around things! No this is world class professional development.
Unlike traditional training programs that may provide a one-size-fits-all solution, leadership coaching is tailored to the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of the individual. In late 2023 we introduced to our CEO Coaching engagement, the ‘CEO Impact Project’ to our CEO Coaching Engagements: The CEO impact project is a self-directed initiative to address a strategic opportunity that’s incredibly important to you. It represents actionable learning at the highest level— the ability to directly apply frameworks and learnings resulting in a chance to transform your career, company, or even the world. It has provided much needed time outside of the CEOs daily workload to narrow his/her focus. Over the period of 12 months the CEO develops a strategy and implementation plan for the project.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting a wide array of Coaches, they will each use a range of techniques, including questioning, feedback, goal-setting, and action planning, to guide the leader’s development journey. When looking to hire a leadership coach my invitation is ensure the fit/chemistry works for you both, ensure that their are ‘rules of engagement’ and as with every engagement here at Nick Roud Coaching confidentiality | and a ROI (Return on Investment) tool that will measure your leadership improvement.
Some of the benefits to Leadership Coaching are shared below:
1. Improved Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
One of the most significant benefits of leadership coaching is the development of self-awareness. Critical to a leaders ongoing success isn’t how well they can read a balance sheet, schmooze a group of investors, show how great he/she is. Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence (EI), a critical competency for effective leadership. Research concludes that Leaders who possess high levels of emotional intelligence are better able to manage their emotions, communicate effectively, empathise with others, and make sound decisions under pressure. Great leaders perform well when under pressure, these leaders have honed and developed their (EI). This takes time and understanding and leadership coaching gives a leader the space and time to reflect inward.
Through evidence based leadership coaching, leaders gain insight into their behaviours, thought patterns, and emotional triggers. At the very start of our leadership coaching engagements the leader will complete two self awareness assessments these are to help the leader understand what makes them unique. Without an understanding of fundamentals, values, behaviours, my experience shows it is challenging for the leader to appreciate what makes them truly unique! We then invite key stakeholders to share their perspectives on the leader *typically 9-15 key stakeholders thought our 360 degree leadership assessment (RLA360)
Together in partnership (driven by the leader) identify areas that need to be strengthen and pathways for development. Over the years I have noticed leader will improve when they have got solid evidence. This ultimately leads to a better ROI.
2. Stronger Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Skills
Leaders are often tasked with making complex decisions that can have a profound impact on their teams and company. At various times quick sharp decisions are needed by the leader, for others a plan. Well thought out decisions will need to be worked through. Whether it’s resolving a conflict, determining the direction of a project, or navigating company change, leaders need to make decisions (daily) that are not only effective but also aligned with the company’s vision and values. Leaders who fall short of making decisions and communicating those decisions will quickly be moved on.
Leadership coaching enhances a leader’s decision-making and problem-solving capabilities by encouraging a more reflective approach. Coaches will confidentially challenge leaders to consider multiple perspectives, weigh options, and assess potential outcomes. Through this process, leaders learn to make more informed, thoughtful decisions while reducing the influence of biases, emotional reactions, or assumptions that may cloud their judgment. Over a period of time the leaders ability to make formed decisions improves. Mistakes will happen – that is life – an effective leader will own such mistakes, learn from them and move quickly forwards.
By engaging in these reflective practices, leaders develop a deeper capacity for critical thinking and strategic planning. They are able to take a more methodical approach to decision-making and are better equipped to tackle the challenges that arise in their roles. We are experiencing and living through the 4th Industrial Revolution (article from Insead Knowledge May 2022 written by Benjamin Kessler) and whilst many leaders are mindful of what’s occurring many do not have the necessary skills to make formed decisions. Only time will tell!
3. Improved Communication Skills
Effective communication is in my view the #1 skill of great leadership. Leaders must be able to articulate a vision, convey expectations, provide feedback, and inspire people to take action—all while maintaining an open and receptive stance to feedback themselves. I have witnessed a few hot headed characters who may have a wonderful vision yet fall over because they cannot communicate that to others! Miscommunication, unclear messaging, or lack of transparency can lead to confusion, disengagement, and ultimately hinder a companies performance. People have described some New Zealand leaders as dull, boring, lack energy. But, if you actually stop, listen to what they are saying you will understand exactly the messaging. Dull and boring shouldn’t be underestimated. We need calm, considered leaders, not flash harries who have all the answers!
Through leadership coaching, leaders hone their communication skills by receiving feedback and engaging in practices that help them improve how they express themselves. Could be in a 1:1 setting, messaging a group, presenting in a board room, and or handling investors, media questions. Coaches help leaders understand their communication styles, both verbal and non-verbal, and challenge them to communicate more clearly, assertively, and with emotional intelligence.
For instance, coaching can help a leader become more effective at listening, which is crucial for fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and building trust within teams. It can also enable leaders to better tailor their communication to different audiences, whether they are interacting with their direct reports, peers, or executives.
4. Enhanced Leadership Presence and Confidence
In Susan Cain book Quiet (I’d encourage any introvert to get a copy) you will fully appreciate your gifts and superpowers that the world and people need right now!
Leadership presence is often described as the ability to inspire confidence and command respect in any situation. Leaders with strong presence can influence others, rally teams, and navigate uncertainty with poise. To be a leader you do not nee to be the loudest person in the room. Many leaders who I coach struggle with self-doubt or feel uncomfortable in certain leadership scenarios, whether it’s speaking in front of large groups or having difficult conversations with employees. Trust me as a dyslexic introvert you can put things in place that will ensure you are more confident than you might feel today!
Leadership coaching provides leaders with a safe space to build their confidence and develop their leadership presence. Through feedback and discussing specific situations, coaches help leaders identify areas where they may be holding back and offer strategies to help them project more authority and self-assurance. The huge value of an executive coach is they see things that you may not see, they hold the space and mirror up so you can look at what is staring back at you! It is not and never the job of the coach to run your business, that’s your job.
Leaders who undergo coaching often report feeling more confident in their ability to lead, make decisions, and manage challenging situations. This increased confidence enhances their ability to influence others, build relationships, and earn the respect of their teams.
5. Better Conflict Resolution and Relationship Management
Conflict is an inevitable part of any company. We only have to tune into the global news right now to see first hand conflict. I am curious if those in so call power leaders! have a coach (or even willing to have a coach)! Whether it’s interpersonal disputes between team members or strategic disagreements within the executive team, how leaders manage conflict has a direct impact on company culture and productivity. Poor conflict resolution can escalate tensions, reduce collaboration, and create divisions within teams.
Leadership coaching helps leaders develop the skills and mindset needed to approach conflict constructively. Having those difficult conversations can put a toll on a leader. Coaches work with leaders to develop better ways to handle conflict, such as staying calm under pressure, actively listening, and finding mutually beneficial solutions. Through coaching, leaders gain a deeper understanding of their role in the conflict and how their actions can either escalate or de-escalate tensions. We are in need of calm leaders today, calm when under pressure and calm when things are going well.
By strengthening their conflict resolution skills, leaders can foster healthier working relationships, enhance team cohesion, and maintain a positive organizational climate. They can also set an example for their teams in handling disagreements with professionalism and respect. When coaching CEOs I spend time observing the leader in various meetings/settings to understand how they operate first hand. Calm comes from not only what is said but what isn’t said.
6. Increased Organizational Impact and Employee Engagement
When leaders undergo coaching, the benefits extend far beyond their own development. Here at Nick Roud Coaching I call it the ‘Ripple Effect’. The transformation in leadership skills, decision-making, and emotional intelligence can have a ripple effect throughout the entire company. As leaders become more effective, their ability to engage and inspire their teams improves. Over the years I have coached CEOs and their entire leadership group 1:1. The impact, the results, the outcome world class improvement. The little improvements that each make add up to a tremendous result for all concerned.
Coaching empowers leaders to create more supportive and inclusive environments where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated. Engaged employees are more likely to be productive, innovative, and committed to the organization’s mission. In turn, this boosts the organization’s overall performance and fosters a culture of growth and collaboration.
Leaders who undergo coaching are also more likely to support and develop the next generation of leaders within their companies, creating a sustainable leadership pipeline and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. An aspect of leadership coaching is identifying people who are or should be on your bench, who will and might be able to step forwards and into a bigger role. Sports team have junior academies for a very specific reason – to help shape, grow and develop future elite sports stars. How is your organisation advancing your emerging leaders?
7. Individual Leadership Development Plan Aligned to Specific Goals
Unlike traditional leadership development programs and or university courses, which may focus on broad skills applicable to all leaders, leadership coaching is personalised and lasers in around the individual’s specific needs, challenges, and aspirations. A leadership coach works with the leader to clarify their indiviudal goals, whether they involve improving specific leadership skills, navigating a new role, or preparing for career advancement. That is why our work with leaders will remain evidence based, bespoke and confidential (not a McDonald’s franchise).
The coaching process involves
- setting clear, actionable goals
- creating a tailored development plan. This bespoke 1:1 approach ensures that the leader’s time and energy are focused on areas that will have the most significant impact on their performance and the company as a whole.
Conclusion
Leadership coaching has become a critical tool for companies aiming to develop effective leaders who can navigate complex challenges, foster high-performing teams, and drive business success. By enhancing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication skills, and decision-making abilities, leadership coaching unlocks the potential of individual leaders and contributes to a more positive and productive culture.
The benefits of leadership coaching are not just felt by the individuals who receive coaching, but by the teams they lead serve. As the business landscape becomes more dynamic and interconnected, the ability to adapt and lead effectively is more crucial than ever.
To discuss your leadership coaching needs, thoughts and opportunity of working together contact Nick on +6421375630.
Great leaders don’t go it alone!
Nick
Master Certified Executive Coach & Founder of Nick Roud Coaching