Leading = Coaching

First and foremost, at a very basic level, being a leader or developing leadership means developing personal awareness and self-management first, and then learning and applying effective people and communication skills.

Take that same sentence and replace the words leader and leadership with coaching:  Coaching or developing a coach means developing personal awareness and self-management first, and then learning and applying effective people and communication skills.

It is equally valid for leaders, leadership, coaches, and coaching.

Research leadership training and research coaching certification – the similarities and overlap are extensive.  Read the 11 Core Competencies of a Coach and imagine reading it as the competencies of a leader.

Great leaders coach and great coaches are leaders.

Coaching is a tool for leaders and the savvy leaders are accessing both coaching services and coach training.

When in a position of leadership part of the role involves self-management.  Leaders inspire and motivate.  Leaders also have great skill understanding and engaging others plus effective communication skills using positive and proactive language.  The tools and techniques developed in coaching certification are clearly a benefit for developing oneself as a leader and for leading both effectively and successfully.

Great leaders are increasingly also great coaches.  Consider this definition of coaching from the International Coaching Federation: “Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”  Great leaders serve others and thus the definition also works for great leaders.  Great leaders partner with others “…in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”