Unit 2: Core Competencies for the Leader as Coach

“In the past, a leader was a boss. Today’s leaders must be partners with their people; they no longer can lead solely based on positional power.”
Ken Blanchard

Lesson Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Critique ICF's coaching competencies
Complete the offline activity
Categorize the differences between effective and ineffective coaches
Apply coaching to leadership development

What are the core competencies of the leader as a coach?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines Mentor Coaching as providing professional assistance in achieving and demonstrating the levels of coaching competency demanded by the desired credential level sought by a coach‐applicant (mentee). Furthermore, Mentor Coaching means an applicant (mentee) being coached on their coaching skills rather than coaching on practice building, life balance, or other topics unrelated to the development of an applicant’s coaching skill. (Source ICF 2021).

Please take a look at this curated content to learn more about Mentor Coaching Duties and Responsibilities.

ICF-Core-Competencies-updated.pdf

Please review the International Coaching Federation Competencies.

A. Foundation

1. Demonstrates Ethical Practice

DEFINITION: Understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards of coaching.

2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset

DEFINITION: Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible, and client-centered.

B. Co-Creating the Relationship

3. Establishes and Maintains Agreements

DEFINITION: Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans, and goals. Establishes agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching session.

4. Cultivates Trust and Safety

DEFINITION: Partners with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely. Maintains a relationship of mutual respect and trust.

5. Maintains Presence

DEFINITION: Is fully conscious and present with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible, grounded, and confident.

C. Communicating Effectively

6. Listens Actively

DEFINITION: Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression.

7. Evokes Awareness

DEFINITION: Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor, or analogy.

D. Cultivating Learning and Growth

8. Facilitates Client Growth

DEFINITION: Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action. Promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.

Coaching is Critical

Coaching is critical to the success of organizations. Coaching in organization and leadership settings is also an invaluable tool for developing people across a wide range of needs. The benefits of coaching are many; 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills. 86% of companies report that they recouped their investment in coaching and more (source: ICF 2009).

Take a look at some of the benefits of coaching.

Empowers individuals and encourages them to take responsibility

Increases employee and staff engagement
Improves individual performance
Helps identify and develop high-potential employees
Helps identify both organizational and individual strengths and development opportunities
Helps to motivate and empower individuals to excel
Demonstrates organizational commitment to human resource development

Offline Activity

Read the following chapter entitled: Coaching for Leadership Development.

Then complete Exercise 2 in your workbook.

Coaching for Leadership Development.pdf

While different leadership coaches may have different leadership styles, there are certain traits that all competent coaches adopt and share. There are other competencies that need to be developed.

Breaking It Down: Effective vs. Ineffective Coaches

Applications

Please go ahead and read The Role of Coaching in Leadership Development by J. Preston Yarborough.

The Role of Coaching in Leadership Development.pdf

And then ensure that you know and understand the six principles of Leadership Coaching.

Principle 1

Create a Safe and Challenging Environment.

Principle 2

Work With the Coachee’s Agenda.

Principle 3

Facilitate and Collaborate.

Principle 4

Advocate Self-Awareness.

Principle 5

Promote Sustainable Learning From Experience.

Principle 6

Model What You Coach.

You have completed this lesson. Be sure and save all of the resources that you are accumulating from this course.

Go to Unit 3

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