The job of directors and managers is to create success through others. By setting up the best structures around the team, solid planning, and installing a performance management system, the groundwork is done. Leadership, culture, and performance management then take the plans and turn team into reality. Your leadership qualities and your coaching skills are your tools to influence the team.
They help you install the motivation, drive, and energy that is needed to get things done and to work in the intended direction. Leading is about creating the vision and setting the direction. Coaching is about supporting and developing people to be the best they can be.
A team and its members have different needs for leading and coaching in different periods of the team’s evolution. The initial focus is on setting the direction and on conveying the plan and vision to the team. Later, this moves to more of a supporting and coaching attitude, so people understand how to get there once they have bought into the vision.