If you think that leadership coaching is exclusively for executives and senior leaders, think again. Those in middle management positions are ideally suited to participate in coaching with a professional, particularly if they're invested in improving their leadership skills and becoming the best leader they can be. To help you determine which type of leadership coaching is right for someone in such a position, here are our top four recommendations:
Middle managers that work in the same department or on the same project team may find it incredibly beneficial to partake in team coaching. That's because team coaching facilitates discussion, encourages alignment, unites individuals around shared vision and purpose, and further develops productive working relationships. All of which ultimately leads to a more resilient, accountable, and collaborative team.
Group coaching brings individuals with common goals together in a safe space to provide them with the support they need to see those goals through. Groups of middle managers with similar development needs, first-time managers, or those who attended the same leadership training and need help putting the learning into practice make ideal candidates for group coaching.
One-on-one coaching is individualized and highly focused. A coach will advise individuals on skills that need to be improved or learned, provide situational advice, and act as a sounding board. As such, this type of coaching can be just as beneficial for a middle manager who is highly ambitious and shows an aptitude for increased responsibility as it is for a middle manager who is struggling.
The development needs of high potentials are truly unique, as they are typically technically strong but need to develop their soft skills to rise to the next level of responsibility. What they need are rich experiences, unique challenges, and valuable insights that accelerate their readiness for a leadership position. Fortunately, high-potential coaching provides exactly that and can be delivered one-on-one or to a group.