Coaching

How can a Project Director cultivate strong leadership and coaching strategies that empower teams and individuals to achieve success and deliver exceptional results?

With over 30 years of experience leading large-scale, complex technology and transformation initiatives across Australia and New Zealand, I’ve had the privilege of managing high-performing teams of 30+ professionals and overseeing programs involving more than 600 resources across 22 projects. My leadership philosophy focuses on fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and a culture of continuous growth. Empowering my team is fundamental to my leadership style, as I find immense satisfaction in my team’s success, which reflects our collective efforts and achievements.

Most people fail at coaching because they’re not fully committed to listening and guiding rather than directing. Effective coaching requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to help others discover their own solutions, rather than simply providing answers. Success in coaching comes from building trust, fostering growth, and consistently supporting individuals on their journey.

Here’s how to become an effective coach by focusing on growth, support, and key strategies.

The goal of coaching is to help individuals grow and develop, guiding them from where they are to where they need to be to achieve their personal or professional milestones. This involves providing the right guidance, resources, motivation, feedback, and support, allowing them to reach their full potential.

Your responsibilities as a coach are to:

• Discover: Help individuals uncover their true potential.
• Clarify: Assist in clarifying thoughts and plans to make them actionable.
• Support: Offer consistent support throughout their journey.
• Align: Ensure that their actions align with their goals and desired outcomes.

Remember, coaching isn’t about giving directions—it’s about guiding people to find their own solutions and build confidence.

The GROWTH Model (based on John Whitmore’s GROW model) is a powerful coaching tool:

• G: Goal – What is your goal?
• R: Reality – What’s your current situation?
• O: Options – What choices do you have to achieve this goal?
• W: Will – Why do you want this? What’s driving your motivation?
• T: Tactics – What specific actions do you need to take?
• H: Habits – How will you sustain these actions over time?

To succeed, focus on these top coaching skills:

• Actively listen to understand others.
• Unlock limiting beliefs.
• Build strong rapport.
• Empathize with feelings.
• Raise attention to key issues.
• Use effective questioning techniques.
• Keep the focus on the main goal.
• Engage deeply in conversations.
• Summarize key points for clarity.
• Encourage creative problem-solving.
• Facilitate thoughtful self-reflection.
• Maintain an unbiased perspective.
• Promote continuous growth.
• Help set clear, actionable objectives.
• Recognize and celebrate success.
• Manage conflict effectively.
• Be present in real-time coaching.
• Support emotional intelligence growth.
• Encourage personal accountability.

Common mistakes to avoid in coaching:

• Ending interactions weakly.
• Making the session about yourself.
• Giving too much advice.
• Talking more than listening.
• Assuming you know it all.
• Failing to set clear goals.
• Being too rigid or formal.
• Judging others.
• Winging it without preparation.
• Lacking flexibility in your approach.

Here are key takeaways on coaching for leadership success:

1. Coaching is about guiding growth, not giving directions.

➜ The main goal of coaching is to help individuals bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. It’s about offering guidance and support so they can reach their full potential in both personal and professional areas.

2. Coaching responsibilities are about discovery, clarity, and alignment.

➜ A coach helps individuals discover their potential, clarify their plans, and align their actions with desired outcomes. It’s a process of building confidence and encouraging self-sufficiency, rather than dictating actions.

3. The GROWTH model is a powerful tool for coaching success.

➜ Using the GROWTH model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will, Tactics, Habits) ensures lasting growth by addressing not just goals but also the motivation and tactics needed to sustain progress.

4. Top coaching skills focus on listening and empowering.

➜ Effective coaches prioritize active listening, empathy, and asking the right questions to unlock potential. They facilitate problem-solving and self-reflection, rather than just providing answers.

5. Avoid common coaching pitfalls to stay effective.

➜ Common mistakes like giving too much advice, making the session about the coach, or failing to set clear goals can undermine the effectiveness of coaching. Flexibility and preparation are key to avoiding these issues.

6. Asking powerful questions drives progress.

➜ Successful coaches use targeted questions to help individuals clarify their goals, resources, and actions. This approach empowers them to take ownership of their own growth and development.

Some Key Coaching Questions – Listen and encougage reflection

Here are key questions that can help guide coaching conversations:

What goals are you looking to achieve to succeed?

➜ Identifying clear objectives allows for focused action and a defined path forward, ensuring that progress is measurable and purposeful.

When shall we check in next to monitor progress?

➜ Regular check-ins help maintain momentum and provide an opportunity to reflect, adjust, and continue moving toward the goal.

How would you like me to support you in this effort?

➜ Defining the role of support ensures that the coach can offer relevant guidance, creating a partnership that fosters growth.

What have you tried in a similar situation before?

➜ Understanding past approaches helps build on lessons learned and avoid repeating ineffective strategies, setting the stage for new solutions.

What resources or tools do you think you will need?

➜ Identifying necessary resources early on allows for better planning and ensures that obstacles can be addressed before they hinder progress.

What actions do you feel are most important to take?

➜ Prioritizing actions helps maintain focus on high-impact steps that will bring the most progress toward the goal.

What is the first action you will take to get started?

➜ Taking immediate, concrete action creates momentum and reinforces commitment to the goal.

Can you tell me what’s going on with this issue so far?

➜ Exploring the situation in detail helps uncover underlying challenges and opens the door for deeper problem-solving.

Why do you think this is happening right now?

➜ Reflecting on the causes of the current situation encourages a deeper understanding of the problem, which is essential for finding lasting solutions.

How will you measure whether you have succeeded here?

➜ Defining success criteria ensures that progress can be tracked and celebrated, providing a sense of accomplishment and clarity on the next steps.

Coaching isn’t about giving answers—it’s about guiding others to find their own. Focus on listening, asking the right questions, and empowering individuals to grow.

Now, it’s your turn. How do you foster leadership and coaching within your teams? What strategies or models have you found most effective in helping individuals achieve their goals?

Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you, or any challenges you’ve faced along the way! Engaging in these discussions helps all of us grow as leaders and coaches. Let’s keep the conversation going!