Written by Julie Pierce

Close your eyes and imagine a scene on a sunny afternoon at a TBall field. The air is filled with excitement as children run around, swinging their tiny bats and chasing after the ball. But amidst the joyous chaos, there's something unsettling happening. It's that dad—the one who seems to be living out his unfulfilled dreams through his son's performance. You know the type, right? Wasn't it just awful to witness?

As leaders, we have a different dream. Our dream is to see people living out their purpose. It's a dream where they experience joy and freedom as they use their unique gifts and talents to make a difference and move a mission forward. We long to see individuals flourishing in their unique designs, because their success is where we find success.

I bring up this contrast because, unfortunately, there are many leaders who resemble that TBall coach. They seek to mold their team members into little versions of themselves, attempting to live out their own unfulfilled dreams through their team's performance. But as healthy leaders, we choose a different approach—a coaching approach to leadership.

You see, a coaching leader is someone who brings out the best in the people they lead. They genuinely believe in the potential of their team members and hold them to the highest standards. Coaching leaders invest in their teams, not for their own gain, but for the good of the individuals. Let me make it crystal clear: As a coaching leader, it's not about me; it's about the team.

In fact, let's anchor ourselves to this truth today: As a coaching leader, it's not about me; it's about the team. 

Now, how do we embody this life-giving, coaching leadership? How can we bring out the best in those we have the privilege to lead? Today, I want to share with you two intentional habits of coaching leaders that both you and I can practice to bring out the best in our teams.

First, coaching leaders actively listen. They create a space where team members feel heard, understood, and valued. Instead of dominating the conversation, they seek to understand the unique perspectives and ideas that each individual brings to the table. By actively listening, coaching leaders foster an environment of trust and collaboration, where the team can thrive and contribute their best.

Secondly, coaching leaders ask powerful questions. They understand that the best solutions often lie within the team members themselves. By asking thought-provoking questions, coaching leaders empower individuals to tap into their creativity and problem-solving abilities. Through these questions, they help team members explore new perspectives, uncover hidden potential, and discover innovative approaches to challenges.

By cultivating the habits of active listening and asking powerful questions, we can transform our leadership from a self-centered pursuit to a team-centered endeavor. We can create an environment where individuals are encouraged to bring their whole selves, where their unique gifts and talents are celebrated, and where they can grow and flourish.

So, let's embrace the role of a coaching leader, releasing our own dreams and desires, and fully investing in the dreams of our team. Together, let's actively listen and ask powerful questions, nurturing a team that brings out the best in each other. In doing so, we will witness the extraordinary impact unfolding in and through our team members, far exceeding anything we could ever hope or imagine.

Want to learn more about topics like this?

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The “how” can be overwhelming and discouraging, so we give up on our goals or fail to build a plan to help us achieve them.

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Keep leading well!

Jenni Catron and The 4Sight Group

Jenni Catron is a writer, speaker, and leadership coach who consults churches and non-profits to help them lead from their extraordinary best. She speaks at conferences and churches nationwide, seeking to help others develop their leadership gifts and lead confidently. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults with individuals and teams on leadership and organizational health.

Jenni is the author of several books, including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.