“A good coach can change a game… a great coach can change a life.”
I have been coaching for over 30 years and am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation. Across this time, I’ve worked with hundreds of leaders across 24 industries, building practical coaching frameworks and embedding hands-on implementation strategies that stick. I’m deeply passionate about creating coach-centric cultures—because when leaders integrate coaching into their everyday leadership, they empower others, reclaim time to lead (not just manage), and drive extraordinary results.
Coaching is no longer a niche practice. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of active coaching practitioners worldwide grew by 54%, and the global coaching market is projected to reach $7.3 billion by 2025. This surge is fuelled by growing awareness, especially among younger generations, of the transformative impact coaching can have on careers, teams, and businesses.
Coaching: A Catalyst for High Performance
High-performing teams, whether in AFL, sales, projects, customer service, or leadership almost always benefit from a coaching culture. “Limitless Leaders™” understand this. They know coaching isn’t about supplying all the answers, but about adding value when it’s needed and enabling others to think for themselves.
The more others own their decisions, the less dependent they are on you. This frees you to focus on strategic priorities while acting as a collaborative partner in their success. Think of yourself not as the star player, but as the orchestra conductor, guiding, challenging, nurturing, and empowering others to perform at their best.
The Top Motivations for Coaching
Earlier ICF research identified the top three motivators for seeking coaching:
- Optimising individual and team performance
- Enhancing communication skills
- Increasing productivity
Newer global data reinforces its business impact:
- 96% of individuals or organisations report satisfaction with coaching
- Median ROI of 7× investment, with some reporting 50×
- Executive coaching in particular shows measurable gains in performance, confidence, and team effectiveness
Three Pillars of Effective Coaching
In my work, the most impactful coaching cultures are built on:
- True Commitment – Know your purpose and the “why” behind your coaching
- Effective Communication – Clear, concise, and constructive conversations
- Deep Connection – Authentic relationships that build trust and engagement
When leaders align with these pillars, they shift from delivering transactional conversations to creating transformational outcomes.
Reframing Coaching as ‘Delegating Thinking’
In a recent “Leader as Coach” program, I described coaching as “delegating thinking”. Instead of providing answers, you empower others to think critically and creatively for themselves. This is not only a leadership time-saver, it builds capability, ownership, and resilience in your teams.
The simplest way to start? Ask more, tell less.
Make coaching an everyday conversation, not an occasional event.
Five Ways Leaders Can Start Coaching Today
Let Go of Being the All-Knowing Coach
Trust and delegate both tasks and thinking. This creates space for your people to grow and for you to focus on what matters most.
Create Space for Empowerment
Give people the “what,” not the “how.” Allow them to find their own way, checking in strategically and acknowledging progress.
Ask More, Tell Less and Stay Curious
Resist the instinct to solve. Instead, ask what they’ve tried, explore alternatives, and guide them towards their own solutions.
Leverage Team Strengths
Match tasks to strengths and let peers learn from one another, like instruments in an orchestra working in harmony.
Communicate with Precision and Rapport
Adapt your style to theirs (without losing authenticity) to build trust quickly and encourage openness.
The Business Case for Coaching
- Organisations with strong coaching cultures grow 27% faster and enjoy up to 87% higher profit margins
- 70% of executives report improved performance through coaching
- 86% say it meets or exceeds expectations
- ROI averages 7× for executive coaching engagements
Whether you are leading from a corner office or the frontline, coaching is one of the most powerful tools you have, to grow people, create space for leadership, and foster sustainable performance. Awareness and acceptance are the starting points but the real transformation comes from embedding coaching into your leadership DNA.
How are you going to accelerate coaching within your organisation?
Written by Renée Giarrusso.
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