Article: “32 Coaching Techniques Effective Coaches Use”
Author: Laura Copley, Ph.D., LPC; scientifically reviewed by Alicia Nortje
Theme: Coaching works best when leaders combine structure, curiosity, behavioral science, and reflection to help people move from uncertainty to focused action.
Business Leader Summary
This article frames coaching as a practical leadership capability, not just a professional service. Techniques such as the GROW model, active listening, cognitive reframing, motivational interviewing, strengths-based coaching, strategic pauses, crisis simulations, and reverse mentorship help leaders improve clarity, motivation, resilience, and accountability.
Major Takeaways
Leaders should treat coaching as a repeatable discipline: clarify goals, assess current reality, explore options, and commit to action. Effective coaching also requires deep listening, open-ended questions, reflection, and tailoring techniques to the individual’s context.
Talking Points
- Coaching turns ambiguity into action.
- The best leaders coach through questions, not answers.
- Small wins build sustained motivation.
- Reflection is a leadership performance tool.
- Reverse mentorship can strengthen innovation and inclusion.
Reflection Questions
- Where are your teams stuck between intention and action?
- Are your managers trained to coach, or only to direct?
- What leadership conversations would improve with better questions?
- Where could reverse mentorship reveal blind spots?
Potential Action Items
- Train managers on the GROW model.
- Add “strategic pause” time to executive routines.
- Use strengths-based coaching in performance conversations.
- Pilot reverse mentorship between senior leaders and emerging talent.
- Encourage micro-wins and reflective journaling for goal progress.