Coaching & Leadership Development

The power of coaching in leadership development

When leaders reflect on their professional growth, the influence of great coaching often stands out. At Best Practice Network, we are continually inspired by stories from participants who credit their coaches as pivotal in their leadership journey.
This article explores the four key elements of effective professional learning: reflection, contextualised support, deliberate practice, and a growth mindset - and how coaching amplifies their impact.

Deliberate practice

At the heart of transformative leadership training lies the concept of ‘deliberate practice’ (Deans et al., 2015). This approach, used across all our NPQs, centres on purposeful, targeted activities designed to push individuals beyond their comfort zones. It is within this space where challenge meets support, where true growth occurs.

Coaches play a vital role in facilitating deliberate practice. They provide the scaffolding for leaders to take measured risks, experiment with new strategies, and reflect on the outcomes. By focusing on iterative improvement, coaches help participants develop resilience and a deeper understanding of their leadership capabilities.

For example, a coach might challenge a school leader to tackle a complex cultural issue or adopt a novel approach to curriculum design. Through ongoing dialogue, feedback, and encouragement, the coach ensures these challenges translate into meaningful learning experiences. This aligns with McKinsey & Company’s (2020) findings on how high-quality leadership development drives sustained improvement in schools.

Reflection as a catalyst for change

Research, including insights from Joyce and Showers (2002), underlines how reflection sharpens leadership skills. Time and again, participants on our programmes highlight how structured reflective practices, guided by their coaches, allow them to step back and assess their leadership with fresh eyes.

Reflective coaching doesn’t just help leaders identify areas for improvement; it encourages them to question assumptions, leading to solutions that resonate deeply with their unique contexts. This reflective process is the foundation for long-lasting change, as leaders develop the confidence to address challenges with clarity and precision.

Contextualised support

No two schools are the same, and neither are their leaders. International contexts bring additional diversity to the equation, from cultural nuances to system-specific challenges. Our coaches work closely with participants to translate theory into practical actions suited to their settings. This tailored support stands in contrast to one-size-fits-all models of CPD, ensuring that leaders feel equipped to meet the demands of their roles.

Data from recent evaluations of the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) reinforces this: satisfaction with contextualised learning scores highly, with 81% of participants rating face-to-face coaching as exceptionally valuable. Our own collected data from past participants of NPQs have declared a 98% satisfaction rating when it comes to Coaching.

Fostering a growth mindset through continuous learning

Coaching isn’t a one-off event; it’s a journey. Sutton Trust (2018) highlighted the link between consistent, high-quality CPD and long-term improvements in pupil outcomes. At Best Practice Network, we champion this idea, embedding a growth mindset in our participants. Coaches act as accountability partners, ensuring that leaders keep evolving long after the programme ends.

Moreover, coaching supports leaders as they grapple with new challenges, helping them apply their learning iteratively and maintain momentum in their development. This focus on improvement not only benefits the individual leader but also cascades to their teams and schools, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Building a culture of leadership excellence

Leadership development isn’t just about completing a programme - it’s about nurturing a pipeline of leaders ready to meet the complex demands of today’s schools. As schools worldwide grapple with new challenges, the role of tailored, reflective, and growth-oriented coaching has never been more critical.

By prioritising contextualised, reflective, and growth-focused learning, we empower educators to lead with confidence and creativity, making a tangible difference in their schools and communities.

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