Page 6 - Coaching for school leaders ALP 21.10.25

What IS coaching? What is it NOT?

Coaching is …. Coaching is not …

▪ A collaborative process focused on growth ▪ Mentoring

and learning ▪ Telling, lecturing, or instructing

▪ About unlocking potential rather than giving ▪ About rescuing, giving people the answers of

answers doing it for someone

▪ A performance management tool or a way
▪ Non-judgmental and curious, using active
to “fix” someone or something
listening and questioning

▪ Therapy or counselling (though it can be
▪ Grounded in empathy, respect, and belief in
supportive & reflective)
the person’s capacity to change
▪ Judgmental or directive

▪ Focused on developing insight, self-
▪ Focused on what’s wrong rather

regulation, and problem-solving
than what’s possible

▪ Aimed at empowerment, not compliance ▪ A quick fix or one-off conversation