Coaching Tool: Leading in the New World
Use this guide to support leaders transitioning from command-and-control to coaching-style leadership.
Each section includes core ideas, conversation prompts, and practical actions.
1. Resilience: The Anchor in Uncertainty
Coaching Focus: Help leaders build emotional strength and model it for their teams.
Prompts to Explore:
- What recent challenge stretched your resilience?
- How do you typically respond to setbacks?
- What values ground you in tough moments?
Actions for Leaders:
- Share stories of failure and recovery to normalise vulnerability.
- Schedule weekly reflection moments with your team to build a collective perspective.
- Use mindfulness techniques to stay centred during uncertainty.
2. Adaptability: The Secret Sauce
Coaching Focus: Support leaders in embracing change and fostering agility.
Prompts to Explore:
- What change did you resist that ended up being valuable?
- How do you support others when plans shift?
- What does a "growth mindset" look like for you?
Actions for Leaders:
- Replace rigid plans with agile frameworks.
- Encourage experimentation by praising effort over outcomes.
- Model curiosity by asking more open-ended questions.
3. Foresight: Seeing Beyond the Now
Coaching Focus: Strengthen strategic thinking and horizon scanning.
Prompts to Explore:
- What trends are shaping your industry?
- What future challenges can you anticipate now?
- What would your team look like in 3 years if it thrived?
Actions for Leaders:
- Dedicate time monthly to review emerging trends.
- Create a “Future Board” to visualise long-term goals.
- Use scenario planning with the team to stretch thinking.
4. Collaboration: The Fuel for Brilliance
Coaching Focus: Help leaders foster inclusion and collective ownership.
Prompts to Explore:
- Who on your team isn't being heard?
- How do you usually make decisions as a group?
- What does true collaboration mean to you?
Actions for Leaders:
- Run regular team check-ins focused on sharing and feedback.
- Create cross-functional task forces to tackle complex issues.
- Celebrate co-created wins, not just individual success.
Embedding a Coaching Mindset
Daily Habits for Leaders:
- Start meetings with a curiosity question.
- Use 80/20 listening in conversations.
- Ask “What do you need from me?” regularly.
Monthly Practices:
- Hold one-on-one coaching check-ins.
- Review team wellbeing and engagement trends.
- Set personal leadership intentions aligned with human-centric values.
Final Thought
Transformation starts with conversation. As a coach, you don’t need all the answers. You just need the questions that unlock wisdom. Support your leaders to lead from trust, not from fear. From connection, not control.