Imagine you are leading a department, managing multiple projects with multiple teams, guiding and leading everyone towards a shared goal. But deep down, you feel like you can do better, you judge your decisions and approach, and imposter syndrome quietly slips in. 

Now imagine another scenario. You are in your accustomed job role, completing tasks and handling day-to-day work. You look up to your leaders with inspiration and want to lead in the near future. Or you are offered to lead a project that you accept with a confused mind and a happy yet hesitant heart. 

If the slightest bit of the above scenarios is not an imagination but a reality for you, then leadership coaching is your answer. 

What is leadership coaching?

Leadership coaching or mentoring helps you achieve specific leadership goals by providing personalised guidance and practical strategies to improve your leadership skills. 

It is mostly aimed at executives, leaders and managers who are in the leading roles and want to improve their leadership style and skills. However, there’s a second group of people who can highly benefit from leadership coaching but are often overlooked. These are aspiring leaders who want to prepare themselves for a leadership role. 

For execs, leadership coaches work on identifying their weaknesses, improving their behavioural skills and leadership style, which makes them better leaders.

For an aspiring leader, leadership coaching involves developing leadership skills, understanding the mindset shift, exploring their leadership style and helping them achieve the leadership role through practical tips and strategies. 

What happens in leadership coaching?

Here’s a glimpse of your journey with a leadership coach.

Coaching format

There can be two formats: group coaching and one-on-one sessions. The former is a usual setup when a company arranges a coach for its execs and managers to work towards a shared goal for the benefit of the company. Other than that, it will be you and your coach working towards your individual leadership goals.

Initial assessment and goal setting 

In the initial session, your coach will assess your current position to understand your strengths and weaknesses. You can expect a series of questions at this point because that’s how your coach will evaluate your present state. 

Based on this assessment, you and your coach will set goals you have to achieve. Your coach might share a plan for the future sessions, briefing you on how they are planning to proceed. 

Regular sessions

After the introductory phase, you will meet your coach on decided days and work towards your goals. Your coach will focus on one aspect at a time, guiding you on how to learn or improve it and incorporate it into your daily practice. 

Key elements of leadership coaching 

Your coaching content will be tailored to your goals and situation. However, the following are the things your coach will go through as part of leadership coaching for someone preparing to lead.

• Leadership mindset
• Leadership style 
• Conflict management 
• Leadership skills 
• Practical guide to execute the learnings 
• Working on your weaknesses

Feedback and progress review 

From time to time, your coach will check in on your progress to see how well you are applying the learning from the sessions. Your leadership coach will acknowledge your growth and guide you further in the areas that need improvement. 

They will encourage you to leave your comfort zone and try what seems overwhelming in your head. Be ready for encouragement, mindset shifts and tough love. 

Benefits of leadership coaching

Personalised guidance 

The self-help route is helpful, but when you are already managing a 9-to-5 while trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance, self-help not only demands your time but your mental energy as well. Moreover, it’s a trial-and-error process that requires time and effort to get things right. 

For a busy professional like you, DIY-ing is not the best option. Efficiency, time-saving and progress are your priorities, and coaching helps with that. A mentor or a coach cuts through the trial-and-error process and provides personalised guidance that saves you time and energy while smoothly driving you towards your goals. 

Accountability partner and support system 

A coach doesn’t read through the slides and let you figure out the implementation on your own. They walk with you on the journey of learning, implementing, improving and perfecting the craft. They will review how you’ve applied the knowledge and offer practical guidance for implementation. 

Falling short, can’t find the courage to show your leadership skills, or think your co-workers will judge? Your coach understands your concerns and helps change your perspective by providing you with the much-needed encouragement and motivation boost to face your leadership fears.

 

When do you need leadership coaching?

Leadership coaching is right for you if 

• You are planning to apply for a leadership position and want to prepare for the role. 
• You have been promoted, but feel unprepared. 
• You want personalised guidance beyond books or courses.
• You are in a managerial or leadership position and want to improve your leadership skills. 

Check out: 5 signs you need a leadership mentor and why

Where to find a leadership mentor or a coach

You can find a leadership coach through your network, LinkedIn, social media and networking events. A quick search will open up plenty of options. The key to choosing the right leadership coach or mentor is to go with the person whose approach, mindset and ideas resonate with you. Without good chemistry, even the best coach may not be the right fit.

But how do you narrow down your choices and find the one who aligns with your goals? Here’s a step-by-step approach to finding the right leadership mentor that fits your goals. I have broken down two different approaches: one structured, the other more flexible, so you can choose what suits you best.

Leadership coaching for aspiring leaders in the data field

Leadership might feel like a distant step, something you’ll grow into someday. But the truth is, the earlier you prepare, the smoother that leap becomes. 

In data and tech, the challenge of becoming a leader is tougher than anywhere else. We have been so busy with our laptop screens that our interpersonal and soft skills haven’t been brushed up in a long time. 

I mentor data professionals in my 8-week one-on-one mentorship program to step up and lead with confidence and clarity. Even if you have not explored your leadership potential, we start from zero and go up to the point where leadership becomes an easy and obvious choice. Explore the modules and FAQs about data leadership.