Why is it important for a great leader to be a great coach?

2016-07-10T12:43:32-04:00

Coaching is one of the most powerful communication and leadership instruments, and is extremely effective in working with change.

Unfortunately, it’s not really practiced by many managers and leaders!

RP Members why is it important for a Great Leader to be a Great Coach?

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jul 10 at 2016 12:55 PM

2016-07-10T12:55:15-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs ,
Great thought provoking question. As a leader, it is important to be an effective coach. This comes in many forms as leaders should want to employ the practice of bringing out the best in their team members, coupled with the aid of both their professional and personal development. Personally, I am one who is all for that, as the promotion and fostering of education is a huge personal mantra for me in which I enjoy seeing others working towards their goals and succeeding. Regardless of rank and position, if I see a team member taking a familiar path that I have encountered in which they are unsure of how to complete it or even get started; if I have a working knowledge on the particular circumstance, I am going to provide my contribution factor in order to help them get kick started towards that objective, as they work complete their personal goals. Because ultimately, it brings a dual benefit to the big picture. Personal growth and development for the individual coupled with an enhanced array of new skill sets and knowledge that can be provided for the organization and that of its members. Overall great post and thanks for sharing COL Mikel J. Burroughs .

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jul 10 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-07-10T13:00:44-04:00

I want a good mutually comfortable relationship.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 10 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-07-10T14:18:03-04:00

A great leader is a great teacher. If you want someone to do something your way, you must be able and willing to teach them. Conversely, a great teacher is a great leader. Sadly, I never found one of those, not in the nineteen years of my formal education up to and including graduation from law school.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 10 at 2016 3:29 PM

2016-07-10T15:29:55-04:00

Great leaders impart knowledge and skills to those they lead which is equivalent to coaching COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Additionally great leaders have learned from those they lead. Good coaches recognize they are not perfect and can still learn.
Christ is my model for leadership. He taught us to have a mindset that as leaders we should be focused on serving those we lead with wisdom, courage, knowledge and respect.
The relationship of leaders to led is best reflected in the military salute which when done properly signifies mutual respect.

Response by Sgt Lowell Tackett made Jul 10 at 2016 9:37 PM

2016-07-10T21:37:07-04:00

Because... a "coach" is precisely what a great leader is: To continue the sports analogy - on "game day" i.e. combat, it is too late for the leader to instruct. His charges need, by then, to know their roles -- WELL -- by instinct, and also by instinct to look to the leader (aka "coach") as an inspiration and guide, both qualities that should long-since have been demonstrated to and instilled within those combatants.

During training, I've often thought of a leader as a "safety net". A good leader will cause his/her charges to fail more often than succeed, and then catch them in a "safety net" of experience and learning... based on the leader's style and method: Lesson learned, tough-love... whatever. Let the "ouches" of experience come in training, not on "game day". Too late by then.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jul 12 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-07-12T10:18:04-04:00

As a leader, it is your job to promote the growth of your team. Coaching is the best way to make that happen. As a coach, you are helping to develop the inner-leaders in your team members. This helps them take charge to carry out the plan of the day instead of waiting to be told what to do.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 14 at 2016 2:58 PM

2016-07-14T14:58:22-04:00

A Great Leader makes more Great Leaders so Coaching is part of being a Great Leader.

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Jul 16 at 2016 9:40 AM

2016-07-16T09:40:54-04:00

We "manage" work.
We "lead" people.
Coaching is a vital skill in the art of leadership.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Jul 16 at 2016 10:55 PM

2016-07-16T22:55:31-04:00

A Great Leader started as a great follower and when the person had the choice or was put in a position of responsibility they stood and became humble and realized they are as only as good as the weakest link and then they built that link to become the strongest

Response by CW5 Jack Gaudet made Nov 18 at 2020 10:18 AM

2020-11-18T10:18:04-05:00

Empathy goes a long way.