The Workplace Coach

Yesterday, I had a fascinating chat with a colleague about coaching. We’re exploring the idea of building an internal coaching capability for the organisation we’re currently working with. It might sound counterintuitive—I’d essentially be coaching myself out of a job—but it could be a game-changer for the organisation and its managers.

There are only so many people I can reach on my own, and the demand for coaching here far exceeds the number of hours one coach can deliver. Building an internal capability just makes sense.

A surprising admission

At one point in the conversation, my colleague turned to me and said, completely deadpan:

“I think I hate coaching.”

I nearly fell off my chair.

I told her she should probably see someone about that…

Naturally, the coach in me kicked in, and I asked her to tell me more.

What coaching is (and isn’t)

What followed was a really insightful conversation about what coaching is—and what it isn’t. It turns out she thought coaching was basically counselling. She imagined my clients coming in, dumping all their problems on me, and me sitting there absorbing it all like a sponge. She genuinely wondered how I could do that day after day, listening to people vent, and still manage to stay sane and upbeat.

I laughed and explained that her version of coaching isn’t what actually happens.

I told her that coaching is more like having a personal trainer for your career and leadership goals. I work with clients to figure out where they want to go, and then we workshop how to get there. We explore options, weigh up the pros and cons, identify potential roadblocks, and then build a plan to move forward.

Simple, but not easy

Sounds simple, right?

It is—but it can also be confronting. Most people get a little uncomfortable when asked to reflect on how they see the world and how they operate in it. Often, the solution to a challenge isn’t about learning a new skill or gaining more knowledge. It’s about developing greater self-awareness and shifting the way we think. That shift leads to new behaviours, which lead to different actions—and ultimately, better outcomes.

Just like a personal trainer helps you think differently about your health and commit to a healthier lifestyle, a coach helps you think differently about your work and leadership, leading to more effective and fulfilling results.

A real-life example

I once worked with a CFO in a mid-sized organisation. She came to me frustrated that her direct reports weren’t performing and wanted help addressing it. As we dug into the situation, it became clear that—while well-intentioned—she was a chronic micromanager. Her team was crumbling under the pressure of her management style.

I suggested a three-month trial: loosen the reins a little and see what happens. We mapped out exactly what that would look like and how she could communicate it to her team.

A few weeks in, things started to shift. The team began performing better. The CFO found herself with more time to focus on strategic work instead of constantly managing her people. And the stress levels across the team dropped significantly.

Was she thrilled to discover she was a micromanager? Not at all.
Was she excited to learn that she was part of the problem? Definitely not.
Did she resist my suggestions at first? Absolutely.
But would anything have changed if we hadn’t started working together? Probably not.

Ready to talk?

Whether you’re facing a full-blown existential crisis or just need a bit of help navigating a challenge at work, coaching can make a real difference.

We’re here to help. Get in touch with The Workplace Coach today, and let’s talk about what’s going on for you—and how we can help you move forward.