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Coaching as a Leadership Style
Leadership / Concepts
Leading by developing people rather than directing them.
What It Means
Instead of telling people what to do, a coaching leader:
- Asks questions that help others find answers themselves.
- Focuses on growth and learning, not just output.
- Invests time now to build capability for later.
When to Use It
- When the person has potential but lacks experience.
- When you want long-term team growth over short-term speed.
- In 1:1s, code reviews, and project debriefs.
When NOT to Use It
- In a crisis where speed matters.
- When the person needs clear direction first (new hires, unclear roles).
- When the answer is genuinely just a fact, not a skill to develop.
The Key Question
Before giving an answer, ask yourself: "Will they learn more if I tell them or if I help them figure it out?"
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