Strong leadership is more than making decisions - it’s about empowering others to thrive. As organisations increasingly acknowledge the value of coaching-led leadership, it’s clear that leaders equipped with coaching skills are better able to foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and innovation. Leadership development through coaching not only strengthens the leaders themselves but also unlocks the potential of their teams, leading to lasting organisational success.

The role of coaching in leadership development

Adopting a coaching style of leadership transforms the way leaders engage with their teams. Through leadership development programmes focused on coaching, organisations provide their leaders with the tools they need to inspire, mentor, and empower others. Coaching skills for leaders - such as active listening, effective questioning, and constructive feedback - enable them to nurture autonomy and creativity within their teams.

Despite its many benefits, coaching is often underutilised. Daniel Goleman’s book ‘Leadership That Gets Results’ points out that many leaders perceive coaching as too time-consuming, prioritising immediate outcomes over long-term development. However, Goleman argues that coaching, when implemented strategically, enhances team performance and saves time in the long run by creating more independent, capable employees.

Strategic leadership coaching techniques that drive results

Investing in leadership training that emphasises coaching skills is one of the most strategic moves an organisation can make. Advanced coaching techniques - such as cultivating a feedback-rich environment and using frameworks like SMART goals - enable leaders to address complex challenges in dynamic settings.

Leadership development through coaching also strengthens organisational resilience. Leaders with strong coaching capabilities are better equipped to navigate change and manage crises effectively. By fostering open communication and encouraging independent thinking, they create more adaptable, responsive teams that excel in uncertain environments.

How coaching skills for leaders can transform team dynamics

Coaching skills don’t just benefit individual leaders - they transform the entire team dynamic. Leaders trained in coaching can foster psychological safety within their teams, encouraging open dialogue and experimentation. This shift from directive leadership to a more collaborative, supportive approach improves both team cohesion and performance.

When leaders embrace coaching, they enable their teams to take ownership of their work, resulting in higher engagement and productivity. These leaders empower their team members to think critically, solve problems independently, and innovate - key drivers of sustained success in any organisation.

Real-world examples of leadership development through coaching

Google’s Project Oxygen exemplifies leadership development through coaching. Launched to identify successful managerial traits, the project found that coaching, communication, and empathy were key to effective leadership. Managers who embraced coaching and focused on one-on-one feedback and development saw higher levels of team performance and satisfaction. By integrating coaching as a core competency, Google significantly improved team dynamics, innovation, and overall employee wellbeing.

In fact, Gallup, which has done a huge amount of work in the coaching and management space, makes the case that great managers are coaches and do directly impact profitability. It says “Coaches understand, leverage and get great satisfaction from deploying the unique talents and strengths of each employee. Great managers are always developing and positioning talent to maximise outcomes, and they get extraordinary results from it: Workers who know and use their strengths average 10% to 19% increased sales and 14% to 29% increased profit, among other bottom-line results.”

Similarly, Microsoft’s transformation under Satya Nadella highlights the power of a coaching culture. Nadella’s emphasis on a “growth mindset” encouraged leaders to adopt coaching behaviours, fostering a workplace culture that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. This shift played a key role in Microsoft’s revitalisation, demonstrating the profound impact of leadership development through coaching.

Conclusion: the benefits of leadership development through coaching

Incorporating coaching skills into leadership development is a powerful strategy for cultivating strong, resourceful and adaptable leader and their teams. Leadership development through coaching equips leaders with advanced coaching techniques and professional coaching development, enabling them to foster a high-performance culture.

When compared to traditional leadership development approaches, such as an MBA, coach training stand outs for its focus on practical, interpersonal skills that directly impact team dynamics, performance and profitability. If you're ready to unlock your team’s full potential, explore our coach training programmes today to build a coaching culture and coaching skills for leaders that drive success.