Five key coaching skills for leaders in 2024
Worldwide the number of organisations taking advantage of coaching has increased significantly in the last few years. Nowadays, more than 80 per cent of businesses are thought to be using coaching, according to The Institute of Leadership.
When leaders and managers employ coaching skills, they’re able to empower their people to reach their full potential. But that’s not all.
Coaching skills can transform the way teams operate, enhance working relationships, unlock development, and increase talent retention.
Though a significant number of leaders and managers are increasing their effectiveness with coaching skills, some are yet to do so.
If you find yourself wondering what the key coaching skills for leaders in 2024 are, we’re here to support you. In this article, we’ll share our thoughts on:
- The top five coaching skills for leaders in 2024.
- Why it’s important to develop your coaching skills.
- Our courses and how they can support you in developing your coaching skills.
Top five coaching skills for leaders
1. Adaptive leadership
Internal and external business challenges are never-ending. From the global pandemic four years ago to recruitment and retention difficulties, adapting to change is something that leaders are regularly required to do.
Considering this, adaptive leadership is one of the top coaching skills leaders can leverage.
Marked by resilience and the ability to navigate change, more than 68 per cent of leaders cite adaptive leadership as one of the top coaching and leadership skills, according to Forbes. As coaching is about empowering individuals to reach their full potential, incorporating adaptive leadership into coaching skills is not just an aspiration; it's a strategic imperative.
By embracing these qualities, leaders not only contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture but also set the stage for innovation, heightened employee engagement, and sustained organisational success.
2. Psychological safety
As a coaching skill, psychological safety serves as a space where trust can grow. It provides an environment where people feel secure enough to take risks, share their ideas openly, and embrace vulnerability without fear of judgement.
Additionally, psychological safety allows leaders to connect with their team members on a deeper level.
After all, when individuals feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to engage in open and honest conversations about their challenges, aspirations, and areas for improvement, creating a feedback loop essential for personal and professional growth.
3. Agile relationship contracting
Within our organisations, hierarchical structures are giving way to agile and collaborative working environments.
With this comes a need for managers and leaders to be able to adapt their relationship contracting skills. But what does this include?
- Agile relationship contracting involves:
- Setting clear expectations
- Fostering open communication
- Creating dynamic agreements
- Responding to the evolving needs of a team
- Continuous feedback loops
4. Active listening
Active listening is a key coaching skill for leaders. Rather than listening to respond or listening to simply hear, active listening skills enable leaders to understand the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of their people.
Developing active listening involves being fully present, suspending judgement, and demonstrating empathy. By using techniques such as paraphrasing, summarising, and asking clarifying questions when having conversations, leaders and managers can create meaningful connections, not to mention an environment where trust and open communication thrive.
5. Effective communication
Communication is crucial in any organisation. But what really makes a great leader stand out from a good one when it comes to coaching skills is effective and intentional communication and questioning techniques.
In coaching conversations, open-ended questions are typically favoured. Not only do they encourage exploration into problems or topics, but they can guide people to self-discovery and decision-making.
Reflective and reframing questions are also impactful when it comes to enhancing communication skills. In a coaching conversation, these questions challenge assumptions and broaden perspectives.
Why is it important to develop your coaching skills?
Developing your coaching skills isn’t just about guiding a team. It’s about unlocking their full potential and fostering a culture of continuous growth.
When considering why it’s important to develop your coaching skills, keep in mind that leaders who invest in developing their coaching skills create a workplace symphony where communication harmonises, innovation flourishes, and individual talents resonate.
The ability to inspire, empower, and cultivate the best in each team member isn't just a leadership skill; it's the key to transforming a group of individuals into a high-performing, collaborative force.
Developing your skills with The Leadership Coaches
Understanding that many leaders and managers are looking to develop their coaching skills, we’ve designed three courses aimed at all levels.
Titled Developing a Coaching Style, Managing with A Coaching Style, and Leading with A Coaching Style, our courses introduce coaching as a skill and support those already coaching in developing their style.
Contact us today
To find out more about our courses or how executive coaching can support you in developing your coaching skills as a leader, contact us today.
Our team of credible coaches have an average of 15 years of experience each, working across a wide range of industries, and are ready to begin working with you to achieve your goals.