Source: hbr.org
Many leaders find coaching daunting. It feels time-consuming, intangible, and far removed from the hard metrics they’re used to managing. But coaching can be a flexible, everyday leadership behavior—not a rigid framework. There are six unconventional, real-world coaching practices that are quick, spontaneous, and deeply impactful: 1) Using in-the-moment nudges; 2) giving exposure; 3) connecting; 4) letting go; 5) coaching in context; and 6) modeling. Through spontaneous conversations, contextual feedback, and authentic human moments, leaders can build confidence, clarity, and capability in others.
A CEO I advised once told me, “I know coaching matters. I just wish it didn’t sound so… therapeutic.” He imagined coaching as a formal interaction—scheduled, structured, and private—and like many leaders felt overwhelmed by the idea of adding yet another responsibility to his plate. Leaders are trained to solve problems and execute, but not always to pause, ask, and guide. But research has shown that while most managers don’t know how to coach people, they can learn.