Leadership Coaching Myths That Stop You From Being a Better Manager

Don’t let these coaching myths prevent you from becoming a better leader for your team. Leadership coaching has been on an upward trend these past few years. According to IBIS World, leadership development and executive coaching is a multi-billion dollar industry and is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. With the availability of technological tools that help deliver coaching sessions, more companies are changing their perspectives on leadership coaching. While the industry is on the rise, leadership coaching still receives some pushback from managers. Unfortunately, these negative connotations regarding the nature of leadership coaching hinder many senior leaders in a company from receiving coaching and reaping its rewards. When leadership coaching and leadership development training were still in their infancy, many top leaders in the company remained sceptical about how these leadership sessions could improve their performance. But it is high time to dispel the myths and negative ideas about leadership coaching, as thousands of managers and top executives have continued to reap the benefits of leadership coaching throughout their careers. Here are some leadership coaching myths dispelled.
 

1. Leadership coaching has limited benefits

Many companies turn down the idea of investing in leadership coaching because they believe it is a waste of precious company resources. Furthermore, companies hold on to the notion that leadership coaching is expensive for something that would have limited benefits. However, coaching is a worthwhile investment that would not only benefit the managers but could also benefit the rest of the company. Leadership coaching can help managers form better people-centred relationships while also building the skills of their team. In addition, leadership coaching sessions adequately equip employees with the right mindset and skills that would benefit the rest of the company. Moreover, the rise of leadership coaching also saw an increase in certified executive coaches at various price points. While CEOs who built Fortune 300 companies or published books on leadership would merit higher price tags, other talented and qualified leadership coaches can work with companies to make the most out of their budget. It is also good to keep in mind that the more popular the coach, the harder it is to have them customise their training sessions to the actual needs of the company.
 

2. The coach should be from the same industry

Another misconception about leadership coaching is that coaches need to be from the same industry as the managers they are coaching. So, for example, managers from a financial institution must get a coach who is also in the banking industry. While it could be helpful in some aspects, coaches can be in a different industry, as leadership coaching differs from mentoring. The goal of coaching is not to tell the managers what to do, but instead, it helps them develop a clear path for how they will lead. As long as the coaches have the relevant background knowledge to understand the context wherein the managers work, they can provide enough information and guidance to help their clients succeed.
 

3. Coaching is the same as teaching

Many senior managers get turned off by the idea of coaching as they believe that leadership coaching is all about sitting in a classroom while listening to a long lecture. However, that notion is actually far from the truth. Coaching is different from going through a lengthy lesson with the coach. Unlike teaching, which is curriculum-based, coaching is tailor-fit to the needs of the clients. Executive coaches help their clients succeed by developing their skills and potential. In coaching, sessions are highly interactive and try to move away from the instructional type of lessons, as those are ineffective in leadership coaching.

4. Leadership coaching can fix every problem

There is a popular misconception about leadership coaching that often leads to disillusionment and dissatisfaction with the coaching process, and that leadership coaching can “fix” every problem. In reality, a coach’s role is not to make every problem with the person or company disappear. Instead, coaching sessions are meant to equip clients with tools to help them create clear plans and pave an authentic path to success. Through coaching, managers can receive the structure, support, and encouragement that they need to succeed in their respective roles.
 

5. Receiving coaching means you are not doing a good job

When the idea of leadership coaching was new, employees used to be wary of receiving coaching sessions, for they believed it was a sign of being ineffective in their job. However, anyone within the organisation will benefit from leadership coaching. Through coaching, clients can develop the self-awareness that can help them understand their strengths and weaknesses. Through coaching sessions, managers are supported in developing their leadership skills and helping them improve their weaknesses. Coaching is more for supporting clients to actualise their potential rather than “fixing” bad behaviours. Coaching has come a long way from its early days, but many organisations are still on the fence about investing resources for leadership development. By clarifying what coaching is and what it is not, people can see the inherent beauty of leadership coaching. What other negative perceptions hinder you from receiving leadership coaching?