Being a Coaching Leader
How to build up the coaching skills in your leadership toolbox
Empower your team to do their best work
Would you like to be able to hold people accountable, while still being 'values-led'?
Do you wish you could stop falling into the role of ‘rescuer’ or ‘fixer’ with your staff and be an 'enabler' instead?
Would you like to discover more ways to empower your team, while benefitting your own wellbeing?
If you want to make a shift towards more distributed leadership in your organisation and you're ready to dig deep and make some big steps forward, 'Being a Coaching Leader' is for you.
When you're a busy leader, it's hard to find the time to reflect, learn and grow. I’ve created these online resources so that you can learn coaching leadership behaviours in short, manageable chunks. Ideas and skills are presented in short videos (all less than 10 minutes long) with suggested practice activities that will take your leadership into the direction you want it to go.
I'm a leadership coach with an Institute of Leadership and Management Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, and I have over 4 years experience in that role. I have also completed a coaching supervision course at Oxford Brookes University.
Prior to becoming a coach, I was a leader in the education sector for 17 years, including 10 years as a headteacher. My experience allows me to empathise with the day to day challenges you face. I understand really well the journey to becoming a coaching leader. I've walked that path myself, and I know where the potholes are!
I’ve developed a model of coaching leadership, which is based around 5 behaviours:
- Ask - when you ask empowering questions you stop being perceived as 'the expert', and you start building and valuing the expertise of others.
- Listen - when people feel seen and heard they become more motivated and confident.
- Be emotionally agile - in the tough work of leadership, difficult emotions often come up. Managing those moments with self-kindness helps us to respond, rather than react.
- Give quality feedback - when you give guidance that's 'clear but kind' you help people grow and develop.
- Nurture leadership - setting up structures and systems that give people permission to lead really gets your organisation moving forwards.
What's in the online library?
The online materials (nearly 30 videos and pdfs!) cover each behaviour, giving you things to practice in your work as a leader, guided reflections to gently deepen your self-awareness and useful proformas to help you stay on track. I draw on my own experience and research into leadership and make recommendations for further reading, in case you want to find out more.
The idea is that each section is a handy, bitesize chunk that you can fit in around your busy schedule. The emphasis is on behaviours and practices that you can do, and that will support your leadership.
Course curriculum
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1First steps on your coaching leadership journey
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2Going deeper
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3Bringing things together
"The materials are really accessible and helpful."
"The opportunity to be authentic about where your leadership skills strengths are and identify areas which need to be improved." (Niamh, School Principal)
"I liked taking a pause to consider my values and how they reflect in my leadership. Thank you for lots of food for thought." (Jo)
"This has been really useful. I really liked the 7 essential coaching questions." (Simon)
FAQs
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No – this is a library of resources. You can put in as much time and effort as is appropriate for you. (Of course, the more you put in, the more you will get out of it). There are some proformas to support you with practising coaching behaviours, but nothing is compulsory.
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The resources are easily accessible via Payhip, who have good support via email, and you should be able to do everything through your smartphone (of course you can do it on the desktop if you prefer). You'll have a nice, straightforward landing page to show what you've covered and I'll also be available for support if you're struggling with anything.
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Yes, you can join at any time. You work through the materials at your own pace.
Helen Tarokh - Mrs T
I'm a leadership coach who was previously a headteacher. I left my headship in December 2020 and retrained as a coach, achieving my ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. I've been coaching leaders in the education, charity and non-profit sectors for over 4 years.