What Is Coaching? A Simple Guide for Managers and Leaders

Coaching is one of the most powerful development tools available in organisations today, yet it is still often misunderstood. Many managers ask “What is coaching?” and confuse it with mentoring, training, problem-solving or simply giving advice. Others think coaching is something you do after training, rather than a core workplace skill in its own right.

These misunderstandings prevent organisations from seeing the full impact of workplace coaching, and they stop managers from using coaching skills confidently, effectively and at the right time.

In This Article, You Will Learn –

• What coaching actually is in the workplace

• Why so many managers misunderstand the coaching definition

• How confusion leads to unhelpful habits

• What coaching is designed to achieve

• Why coaching improves performance, confidence and behaviour change

• How coaching skills fit into day-to-day leadership

What Do We Mean by “Coaching”?

What is coaching?

Coaching is a structured, reflective conversation designed to help someone think clearly, explore options and take ownership of their next steps.

Unlike mentoring or training, coaching does not tell or teach.
It supports independent thinking, clarity and problem-solving.

Coaching answers the question:

“How can I think this through for myself?”

Coaching focuses on:

• Curiosity

• Listening

• Powerful questions

• Ownership

• Confidence

• Reflection

It is one of the most effective tools for behaviour change, capability growth and performance improvement.

Why This Matters

Common Challenges:

• Managers confuse coaching, training and mentoring

• Leaders default to giving answers instead of asking questions

• Coaching feels slow or uncomfortable at first

• People become dependent on the manager for solutions

• Without coaching, training is rarely applied in the real world

• Teams struggle to think independently

Improvements When Coaching Is Done Well:

When coaching is understood and used correctly:

• People take ownership of decisions

• Teams think for themselves

• Managers save time by reducing dependency

• Confidence grows naturally

• Performance improves

• Real behaviour change takes place

• Leaders build a strong coaching culture

• Training investments finally get applied

Coaching builds capability, clarity and confidence, qualities every team needs.

Key Principles of Coaching

Principle 1 – Coaching Creates Thinking, Not Answers

Training teaches skills.
Mentoring gives advice.
Coaching creates clarity.
It helps people make sense of challenges using their own thinking.

Principle 2 – Coaching Supports Performance, Not Just Learning

Coaching helps people apply what they already know in real situations.
This is where performance actually shifts and behaviour changes.

Principle 3 – Coaching Is a Process, Not a One-Off

Training happens in a moment.
Coaching happens over time.
The consistency is what creates long-term capability and confidence.

Principle 4 – The Coach Owns the Process, the Coachee Owns the Solution

The coach guides the conversation.
The individual owns the actions.
This balance creates true accountability.

Principle 5 – Great Coaching Starts With a Single Question

Coaching doesn’t require a toolkit of 100 questions.
It starts with one powerful, simple approach:

“What options have you considered?”

How to Get Started

• Ask one coaching question before giving advice

• Notice when someone needs thinking support, not answers

• Pause instead of stepping in immediately

• Replace “Here’s what to do” with “What do you think is best?”

• Use coaching to follow up after training sessions

• Give people space to reflect before making decisions

Small changes in your coaching technique have a huge impact.

Where Our Courses Fit In

In our Management & Leadership Training programmes, https://targettrg.co.uk/courses/management-courses  we integrate both:

✨ Practical coaching skills
✨ Real-world application

Workshops provide the knowledge.
Group coaching and 1–1 coaching build the confidence to use it in real situations.

This combined approach transforms behaviour, performance and ownership, and it’s why our programmes are so effective in building a coaching culture.

Common FAQs

What is coaching in the workplace?
A structured conversation that helps people think clearly and take ownership of their actions.

Is coaching the same as mentoring?
No. Mentoring offers advice; coaching encourages independent thinking.

Do managers need coaching skills?
Yes. Coaching improves performance, reduces dependency and strengthens leadership.

Why doesn’t training alone create behaviour change?
Because people need time, reflection and support. Coaching provides that.

Can coaching improve performance?
Absolutely. It builds capability, confidence and accountability.

Where Do I Go for More Information?

If you want confidence in coaching, whether it’s coaching skills for management and leadership, or more advanced professional coaching contact us by email  info@targettrg.co.uk or 0800 302 9344