Why Are Coach-Like Leaders Suddenly In Demand?

As we emerge from the pandemic and learn how to navigate the hybrid workplace, the need for empathetic leaders seems evident. All the values and attributes of being a coach-like leader are suddenly in the spotlight. On the other hand, the drive to get people back into offices and the pressure to meet quarterly targets is creating friction between leaders and their teams. According to Business Solver’s 2022 State of Workplace Empathy report, 69% of CEOs believe it's their job to build empathy in the workplace, 79% of CEOs say they struggle to be empathetic, and 77% worry they will lose respect if they’re too empathetic.

What changed? Our environment changed and with it, we have changed, adapting to new conditions as human beings so brilliantly do. We are emerging from a difficult period of extreme uncertainty. Anyone who stood up and boldly proclaimed that they knew best, was showcasing their ignorance and arrogance in the face of a situation for which there were no clear answers. The leader who said, I do not know, but I will find out was more believable. That vulnerability and willingness to ask questions and find a way forward resonated with people. It was no longer about individual brilliance and brash bold leaders who created fear and awe. It was the time of the leader who cared for and looked after the team and helped them win together. In this work world, listening is a virtue.

Learning, curiosity, and willingness to adapt and find new ways to navigate a world buffeted by change and shaken by uncertainty is the new superpower. Anyone who stood at the helm and said “Trust me I know what to do” is met with scepticism. “Just listen to me and follow my orders” is often seen as a signal of a person out of touch with what is happening and out of control.

In a pandemic-battered world so full of change, there was and still is no playbook. We are in a better place now, but the bruises and scars remain, hidden just under the surface. We are seeking new ways forward, and asking new questions of ourselves and our workplaces.

All the old maps don’t lead to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymore. Something fundamental has shifted and we need new guidance systems. Between the pandemic and generative AI, everything we knew is now outdated. New waters of unknown depths need to be navigated with new equipment.

At a time like this the ‘coach-like leader’ enables each team member to find their confidence. Find their specialty. Find that thing that they are best at and then bring the group together. This ability of the human race to come together and use ‘group think’ or the wisdom of the crowd to find a way forward is what coach-like leaders unlock. This is why I believe ‘Coach Like Leaders’ hold the keys to help unlock the doors to performance and progress.