TL;DR: Why Every Leader Needs to Lead Like a Coach

Leading like a coach means developing and empowering your team instead of just directing and evaluating them. Coaching leadership builds trust, ownership, and continuous Growth by focusing on listening, asking better questions, and recognizing progress—not just results. Simple shifts like asking more than telling, celebrating growth, and leveraging strengths can transform school culture. When leaders coach, they move from managing problems to guiding potential. The challenge: For the next week, approach every leadership conversation with a coach’s mindset and see the difference it makes.

I started working with two new clients this week, supporting them on their leadership journey. One of my favorite topics to jump into with someone is to ask about their staff. Hiring and staff development is a very important part of the leadership role, and I am always curious about the perception a leader has about the people they are charged with leading. One of the principals shared with me that her staff might need some turnover in order for there to be alignment with her vision. That led me to this question:

Are you leading for compliance or leading for growth?

It’s a question every school leader should ask themselves. Traditional leadership tends to focus on control—ensuring that staff follow directives, meet expectations, and stay on track. But great leadership isn’t about compliance; it’s about coaching people to be their best.

Bradlee Skinner, one of my former staff members and now a fellow leadership voice, once described my leadership style as being like a driver’s ed instructor.

“Darrin was in the passenger seat with his foot on the second brake, ready to step in if needed, but he let us drive. He gave direction, he asked questions, he helped us see what was coming, but ultimately, we were in control of the wheel. He didn’t micromanage every turn or force us to follow a single route—he coached us to navigate on our own.”

That’s what great leadership looks like. Not gripping the wheel for others but guiding, supporting, and stepping in only when absolutely necessary.

When I first became a principal, I didn’t always lead this way. I thought my job was to direct, evaluate, and make sure everyone followed the plan. But when I shifted to leading like a coach—asking more questions, empowering my team, and trusting them to grow—the culture transformed.

The Power of a Coaching Culture

The best schools don’t just have strong leaders—they have leaders who coach. When school leaders adopt a coaching mindset, their teams experience:

• Stronger trust and Relationships – Coaching is about listening, not just directing. When teachers and staff feel heard, they become more engaged and invested in the school’s success.
• More ownership and empowerment – A coach doesn’t just provide solutions; they ask great questions that help others find their own answers. Leaders who coach create more problem-solvers in their schools.
• Sustained growth and improvement – Coaching isn’t about one-time feedback; it’s about continuous development. Schools where leaders coach see higher retention, better collaboration, and more long-term success.

Coaching vs. Traditional Leadership

Traditional leadership often focuses on directing and evaluating—telling people what to do, holding them accountable for outcomes, and ensuring compliance. While there’s a place for clear expectations, this approach can stifle growth and create dependency. Coaching leadership, on the other hand, emphasizes developing and empowering. Instead of giving immediate answers, coaches ask questions that help people think critically and find their own solutions. Rather than just evaluating performance, they support ongoing growth by recognizing strengths and guiding improvement. The goal of a coach isn’t just to ensure results in the moment—it’s to help people take ownership, build confidence, and become more effective long-term. When leaders embrace coaching, they shift from managing their team to truly developing them, creating a culture of trust, autonomy, and continuous learning.

How to Lead Like a Coach: 3 Practical Shifts

If you want to lead like a coach, start with these three simple but powerful strategies:

1. Ask More, Tell Less
The next time a teacher or staff member comes to you with a problem, resist the urge to give them an immediate answer. Instead, ask:

• “What do you think would work best?”
• “What’s another way to approach this?”
• “What support do you need to move forward?”

When people find their own solutions, they’re more likely to take action and grow.

2. Recognize Growth, Not Just Results
Coaches don’t just celebrate wins; they celebrate progress. Instead of just praising end results, highlight the effort, persistence, and learning process that led there. A simple “I noticed how you adapted your lesson after feedback—that’s real growth” can be more powerful than a generic “Good job.”

3. Shift from ‘Fixing’ to Developing
A manager tries to fix weaknesses; a coach develops strengths. Instead of focusing only on what needs improvement, help your staff leverage their strengths to get better. For example, if a teacher struggles with classroom management but thrives in building relationships, help them use that skill to create better student engagement strategies.

The Long-Term Payoff of Leading as a Coach

When leaders embrace coaching, they create schools where people don’t just work—they grow. The shift from directing to developing transforms culture, builds trust, and makes leadership feel less like managing problems and more like guiding people toward their potential.

So, here’s my challenge to you: For the next week, approach every leadership conversation as a coach. Listen more. Ask better questions. Recognize growth. See what changes.

Because the best leaders don’t just lead—they coach.

If you’re ready to take your leadership team to the next level, let’s talk. Through coaching, professional development, and leadership retreats, I help school and district leadership teams build trust, improve communication, and align their efforts for real impact. Let’s work together to set your team—and your school—up for success in the coming year.

Send me a message or visit RoadToAwesome.net to start the conversation.

Tune in this Sunday to “Leaning into Leadership” when I sit down with author and leadership expert Bobby Canosa-Carr.

Darrin Peppard Dr. Darrin Peppard

Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.