In the last decade, coaching initiatives across the globe have been recognized as a benefit to support the leadership of individuals, particularly in the education space. The trend has also included hiring site-based instructional coaches and training principals to grow in their coaching skills. Over the last five years, there has been a heavy emphasis on the principal as the key change agent in schools, which has been accompanied by numerous coaching initiatives for school leaders by district leaders.
According to the Trium Group, “Getting coached (particularly when you have the right coach can be a life-changing experience…Coaching has the potential to transform how you think and how you see the world, resulting in massive changes to how you lead and live your life. (Gold, 2021.)
In our work across the U.S. and abroad, we’ve seen this to be true. It has been amazing to see the impact of effective coaching initiatives. Teachers are truly growing in their practice, and principals are more empowered to provide high-quality support to their teachers.
With all the evidence that coaching is the one type of professional development that actually brings change in practice, district leaders are just beginning to take part in coaching. This is because it is often perceived as a luxury and district leaders haven’t felt justified in spending dollars towards their own professional growth. However, if we believe that we all have room to grow, including those at the top of organizations, then it’s time for district leaders to take a second look at how coaching can increase their own effectiveness as leaders.
Modern Executive Coaching
It is often said that leadership is lonely. The demands on leaders such as superintendents and other district-level leaders, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly increased. To be an effective leader in the education space, professionals are required to have unique expertise in a wide variety of areas, including strategic planning, research and analysis, fiscal management, board and community engagement, implementation planning, communication and training, professional learning design and curriculum, and coaching.
As Prevalence of Coaching and Approaches to Supporting Coaching in Education states, “when it comes to knowledge and skill gains, and application of the new knowledge and skills to practice, the most impactful professional development element is coaching. It is personalized, authentic to the needs of the educator, collaborative, and inquiry-based.”
According to Executive Coaching Connections, “Global impacts of the past 12 months have brought new challenges requiring enhanced leadership skills across a number of critical competencies.” These competencies including topics such as DEI, empathy, trust, resilience and innovation. Now more than ever, leaders need coaching support to process and receive feedback on these necessary competencies.
Four Reasons to Engage in Executive Coaching
If you’re a district leader considering hiring an executive coach for yourself (and/or need to make a case to your manager or board), here are a handful of compelling ways that coaching can enhance your performance.
- An executive coach can be an incredible sounding board and thought partner for you.
Leaders tell us regularly how helpful it is to get an outside perspective on a situation. As mentioned above, senior leaders are often in a lonely spot and need that listening ear on a specific situation they’re grappling with. Having that trusted advisor who has walked in your shoes can be a lifeline. - Executive coaching can help you prioritize and align your major priorities.
One of the major challenges I see regularly in district leaders is the struggle with the sheer number of priorities and commitments on their plates. A coach can help you evaluate what’s important and where you need to say “no.” Through reviewing your district’s strategic plan, scorecards used to track progress toward improvement goals and any competencies the district uses to evaluate success of its leaders, you and your coach can see a doable pathway to achieving the priorities you’re charged with meeting. - An executive coach can provide you feedback on strategic planning and management, including ROI analyses on existing initiatives.
In every coaching engagement with a leader, I begin with a look at the data. Taking time to analyze and reflect on what’s happened—often on just one or two initiatives—can help set a course for improvement moving forward. Together with a coach, you can uncover the true cost and impact of the initiatives you've launched, look for ways to reallocate (given the reality of limited resources), and create a plan to ensure that you're getting the best ROI going forward. - Executive coaching can provide accountability and support that leads to great execution on key initiatives.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, most school improvement initiatives in high-needs schools fail or show little improvement. The main reason for failure in strategic initiatives is the lack of execution. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough when it comes to driving and sustaining growth—including when it comes to your coaching initiatives. Just as in athletics, a coach can help keep you accountable to your specific goals in leading change and provide you that extra, added support to bring them to completion.
At the end of the day, everyone is looking for feedback—no matter what role they play in an organization. Coaching provides the differentiation, support, and accountability that can help leaders get to that next level and create a larger impact on their organization.
If you’re not sure whether you need a coach, start small. Consider engaging with a coach for 90 days. This will give you a sense if they are a good fit for you and whether the time together adds value to your work.
You’re Helping Everyone Else. Who’s Helping You?
School leaders offer support to so many, but who provides them with the most strategic, data-based strategies that make their jobs easier? With so many competing commitments and multiplying responsibilities, district figureheads need a clear path to optimize the outcomes of their work. Our team of former district administrators provides individualized executive coaching based on leaders’ precise needs and busy schedules.
And of course, Insight is here to help.
Our executive coaching is successful because we are authentic. We've been in the shoes of district- and state-level organizations and know how hard the work is. We provide solutions that inspire confidence and help move the work forward while facilitating reflective conversations that empower CAOs, regional/assistant superintendents, and superintendents to own their own improvement.
As we continue to reflect on our work in coaching district-level leaders, we look forward to hearing from you and your perspective on this important aspect of overall improvement for individuals and organizations alike.
