I have instilled a coaching culture in various schools that I have led in and as a leadership coach the title of this blog may seem like madness. As a leader the value of coaching is evident across all setting and sectors, however, one of the pitfalls is that it doesn’t work for everyone all of the time.

 

Photo credited to https://www.situational.com/the-cls-difference/situational-leadership-what-we-do/

Hershey and Blanchard propose that followers go through the 4 sections above S1-4. Personally, S2 and 3 are renamed as S2 Mentoring and S3 Coaching, as I define mentoring as mentor-driven and coaching coachee-driven.

S1. Directing: In the main direction by the leader and little support;

Follower: Low competence and low motivation.

Things to say,

Do this, just like this. Don’t ask questions.

S2. Mentoring: a lot of direction by the leader and a lot of support;

Follower: Low competence and high motivation.

Things to say,

We are working on this, this is how we are going to do it

S3. Coaching: little direction by the leader and a lot of support;

Follower: High competence and low motivation.

Things to say,

What are we working on? How do we make sure you get there?

S4. Delegating: little direction by the leader and little support;

Follower: High competence and high motivation.

Things to say,

What are you working on? What do you need from me?