What is coaching leadership?: Traits, examples & success tips

No two leaders are the same — we all operate, motivate and support our team in our own unique ways. And understanding your leadership style is one of the most effective ways to bring out the best in your employees. 

At People Insight, we created a Goleman leadership style quiz, and out of over 1,300 participants, an impressive 40.9% identified as coaching leaders. This was by far the most popular leadership style, with democratic leadership coming in second at 23.9%.

So why does this matter? Because when leaders understand their natural style, they can use it more effectively to develop their employees, improve performance and create a workplace where people feel valued and motivated. Coaching leadership is a style that focuses on growth — helping employees unlock their potential and guiding them, step-by-step, towards success.

But what exactly is coaching leadership? How does it work in practice and what are the pros and cons? Let’s explore.

Related: Top 360 feedback trends to watch in 2025

What is coaching leadership?

Coaching leadership is all about development. Instead of simply instructing employees on what to do, coaching leaders guide them, helping them build skills, confidence and independence. This leadership style is centred around asking the right questions, providing constructive feedback and encouraging employees to think critically about their work.

A coaching leader doesn’t just focus on short-term goals; they look at long-term growth. This means creating a performance management process that allows for regular one-to-ones and mentoring conversations, with an emphasis on learning and self-improvement. Rather than micromanaging, coaching leaders create an environment where employees feel supported but also challenged to develop their capabilities.

This style is particularly effective in organisations that value innovation, continuous improvement and employee engagement. When people feel invested in and encouraged to grow, they are more likely to stay motivated and perform at their best.

Characteristics of coaching leadership

So, what makes a coaching leader stand out? There are a few defining traits that set them apart from other leadership styles:

• Active listening – Coaching leaders take the time to really hear their employees. They ask thoughtful questions and listen to understand, not just to respond. This builds trust and encourages open conversations.

• Empathy – Being an emotionally intelligent leader and understanding the challenges employees face helps coaching leaders provide meaningful support and encouragement.

• Development-focused – They see potential in people and actively work to bring it out, offering feedback, training opportunities and career development guidance.

• Encouraging independence – Coaching leaders don’t spoon-feed solutions. Instead, they help employees develop problem-solving skills, allowing them to take ownership of their work.

• Patience – Growth takes time, and coaching leaders understand that. They are willing to invest the effort needed to see long-term improvements.

• Trust-building – Because they genuinely care about their employees’ progress, coaching leaders create a culture of trust and psychological safety.

Famous examples of coaching leaders

Looking for some well-known examples of coaching leaders? Here are just a few examples:

Phil Jackson

As a legendary basketball coach, Phil Jackson didn’t just train players; he developed them. Known as the “Zen Master,” Jackson used mindfulness and a holistic coaching approach to guide teams like the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to multiple championships. His leadership was about more than tactics; it was about helping players grow mentally and emotionally as well.

Brené Brown

Researcher and author Brené Brown is a strong advocate for leading with empathy and vulnerability — both key aspects of coaching leadership. She encourages leaders to be authentic, to create an environment where employees feel safe to take risks and to see failure as part of the learning process.

Richard Branson

The founder of Virgin Group, Branson is well known for his people-first leadership approach. He believes that by supporting employees and encouraging their development, they will, in turn, take better care of customers. His emphasis on mentorship, empowerment and trust aligns closely with coaching leadership principles.

Pros and cons of coaching leadership

Let’s take a look into the advantages and potential drawbacks of this coaching style.

Pros of coaching leadership

There’s a reason coaching leadership is such a popular style. It comes with several advantages:

• Increased engagement – Employees who feel supported and encouraged in their development are more likely to be motivated and engaged.

• Stronger performance – When people are given the right tools and guidance to grow, they naturally improve their skills and productivity.

• Better relationships – Coaching leaders build strong, trusting relationships with employees, leading to higher morale, better team communication and a more positive workplace culture.

• Encouragement of innovation – When employees are empowered to think critically and solve problems independently, they are more likely to come up with creative solutions.

• Higher retention rates – Employees who see clear opportunities for growth are more likely to stay with an organisation, reducing turnover.

Cons of coaching leadership and what to look out for

Despite its many benefits, coaching leadership does have some challenges:

• Time-consuming – This leadership style requires patience and commitment. It involves regular check-ins, thoughtful conversations and a long-term investment in employees’ growth.

• Not always suitable – In high-pressure situations that require quick decisions, coaching leadership may not be the best approach. Sometimes, employees need clear direction rather than guidance.

• Potential for dependency – If not managed well, employees might become too reliant on their leader’s feedback and struggle to make independent decisions.

• Requires skilled leaders – Coaching leadership is all about knowing the right questions to ask, understanding when to step in and when to let employees figure things out for themselves. This takes practice and experience.

What coaching leaders hear in 360 feedback

Because coaching leaders are focused on development, the feedback they receive in a 360 feedback assessment often highlights their strengths in mentorship and support. However, it can also reveal areas for improvement. Here are some common themes we’ve noticed as 360 coaches:

Strengths

• Employees appreciate the focus on development and personal growth.

• The leader is seen as approachable and supportive.

• They create a positive, trusting work environment.

Areas for improvement

• Some employees may feel they need more direct instruction rather than always being guided towards answers.

• There may be feedback suggesting that decision-making could be more decisive in high-pressure situations.

• A coaching leader may need to ensure they give equal attention to all employees, avoiding perceptions of favouritism.

Related: 360 Feedback for managers — 20 examples on how to give feedback to your boss

6 Ways to manage effectively as a coaching leader

If you naturally lean towards coaching leadership, here are some ways to maximise its effectiveness:

1. Set clear expectations

Coaching leaders often prioritise autonomy, but employees still need structure. Without clear expectations, they may feel lost or unsure about priorities. Define what success looks like for each person and ensure they understand their responsibilities. This doesn’t mean micromanaging — it means giving employees a clear direction while allowing them space to find their own way of achieving goals.

2. Make time for regular check-ins

Coaching leadership thrives on ongoing conversations, not just annual reviews. Regular one-to-ones allow you to provide real-time feedback, discuss challenges and celebrate progress. These check-ins shouldn’t just be about performance — they should also cover development goals and personal growth.

Rather than dominating these meetings, consider asking open-ended questions, which lend themselves to more fluid conversations:

• What’s going well for you right now?

• What challenges are you facing, and how do you think you can overcome them?

• What skills or experiences would you like to develop further?

Giving employees space to reflect and share their thoughts makes these sessions more productive and meaningful.

3. Adapt your style when needed

While coaching leadership is highly effective, it’s not always the right approach for every situation. Some moments require decisive leadership — such as during a crisis or when an employee is new and needs more guidance.

Knowing when to shift from coaching to a more directive style is key. If an employee lacks the necessary skills for a task, they may need more instruction before they can problem-solve on their own. Similarly, if a team is facing a tight deadline, there may not be time for a coaching conversation. The best coaching leaders are flexible, adapting their approach based on the needs of the moment.

4. Encourage self-reflection

One of the core principles of coaching leadership is helping employees develop their own problem-solving abilities. Encouraging self-reflection helps them become more independent and resilient. Instead of giving immediate solutions, prompt employees to think through challenges themselves.

For example, if someone is struggling with a project, rather than saying, “Here’s what you should do,” ask, “What options have you considered?” or “What do you think is the best course of action?” This approach encourages critical thinking and builds confidence in their own decision-making.

You can also introduce self-assessments or reflective exercises after key projects, encouraging employees to consider what worked, what didn’t and what they would do differently next time.

5. Balance guidance with autonomy

Coaching leaders walk a fine line between supporting employees and giving them the space to grow. If you’re too hands-off, employees might feel unsupported. If you’re too involved, they may become overly dependent on your input.

A useful method to strike this balance is the Situational Leadership Model, which suggests adjusting your level of direction and support based on an employee’s competence and confidence. Someone who is new to a role might need more structured guidance at first, while a more experienced employee might thrive with greater independence.

Encourage employees to take ownership of their work by involving them in decision-making and giving them responsibilities that stretch their capabilities. Trust them to make choices, and if mistakes happen, treat them as learning opportunities rather than failures.

6. Use 360 feedback to refine your leadership

Great coaching leaders are always looking to improve. One of the best ways to do this is through 360-degree feedback, which gathers insights directly from your employees. This type of feedback can help you identify strengths in your leadership as well as areas that might need adjustment.

For example, you might find that employees appreciate your mentorship but wish you were more decisive in certain situations. Or you might discover that some employees need clearer guidance rather than open-ended coaching. These insights allow you to refine your approach and become a more effective leader.

Coaching leadership has the power to transform workplaces, creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported in their growth. But like any leadership style, it requires self-awareness and continuous improvement.

If you’re interested in understanding more about your leadership style and how it impacts those around you, 360 feedback is a great place to start. At People Insight, we provide various 360 models and detailed feedback assessments to help leaders develop and refine their approach. Get in touch with us today to learn more.