The Journey To Becoming A Successful Leader-Coach (Forbes)
Published February, 2019
Dr. Carylynn Kemp Larson explores the evolving journey leaders experience as they learn to adopt a coaching approach, outlining a progression of insights that shape their development over time. While many leaders initially believe they are already coaching, she highlights how true coaching differs from problem-solving and requires a fundamental shift in how leaders think, listen, and engage with their teams.
Through a series of stages—from early misunderstanding to deeper awareness and eventual mastery—she illustrates how leaders gradually move from providing answers to facilitating insight. Along the way, they confront common challenges, including the instinct to solve problems, the difficulty of letting others take ownership, and the need to continuously adapt their approach.
Dr. Larson emphasizes that becoming an effective leader-coach is not a linear process but an ongoing cycle of learning, reflection, and growth. Ultimately, she positions the coaching journey as a continuous evolution—one that enables leaders to unlock greater potential in their people while strengthening their own effectiveness over time.
Key Takeaways
Becoming a leader-coach is a journey, not a one-time shift.
Leaders develop coaching capability through ongoing learning, reflection, and experience.Coaching is different from problem-solving.
Effective leaders move from giving answers to helping others think more deeply and find their own solutions.Self-awareness is a critical first step.
Recognizing the gap between perceived and actual coaching ability is key to growth.Old habits are hard to break.
The instinct to solve problems can resurface, even after leaders begin developing coaching skills.Progress includes setbacks and relearning.
Leaders often cycle between confidence and uncertainty as they apply coaching in new situations.Consistency builds confidence and competence.
Repeated practice across different scenarios strengthens coaching effectiveness.Coaching requires balance.
Leaders must avoid over-efforting while still staying engaged and committed to the process.Mastery is never final.
Even experienced leader-coaches continue to evolve, learning new approaches and refining their skills over time.
Authored by Carylynn Kemp Larson, a psychologist turned speaker and leadership coach who creates space for leaders, teams, and organizations to thrive.