Coaching for Impact: Transforming HR and Leadership

What Drove Me to the Coaching Journey?

My passion as an HR leader to drive meaningful change, and influence business performance, is what made me curious to understand more about what performance coaching was all about. As HR professionals we care for and support the company’s most valuable and expensive asset, its people, and I believe that it’s the people and the culture that directly drive business outcomes. As the saying goes, culture eats strategy for breakfast, and I wholeheartedly believe that it’s a strong people focused culture that drives business success!

Performance coaching aligned perfectly with my personal growth goals, and I wanted to support the managers I work with. I’ve seen how relentless the demand on managers can be, the responsibility and pressure can sometimes take a toll on their perspective and their own wellbeing and ability to find ways forward. The reality and weight of building and leading high performing teams can often be overwhelming.

I also recognised how the line managers’ personal approach to challenges and goal setting directly influenced team performance, so this led me to want to get better at asking the right questions and reflect on how I could do more to empower others and support people to find their inner power and strength in achieving their goals.

Two Key Takeaways

1:  Effective Listening

I learned that deep listening is a skill that has to be learned and practised - it doesn’t come naturally and trust me it’s not as easy as it sounds! But it lies at the heart of real transformation. Coaching has made me more attuned to what managers are truly saying - about their needs, their teams, and the challenges they face. Listening isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about asking the right questions to uncover insights. These insights fuel more impactful wellbeing initiatives, better training programmes, and stronger team performance.

2:  Empowering Potential

Coaching has renewed my perspective and taught me that the power to change lies within each person, and my role is just to shine a light on their personal journey, helping them unlock their own potential. It’s been incredibly rewarding to challenge others to define what success looks like, and then work towards it with clarity and purpose.

Why It Works and What’s Next

As a newly certified coach, I’m excited to see how coaching managers can drive tangible business results. When managers feel supported, challenged, and empowered, it translates into higher retention, stronger teams, and measurable success. I’ve found that when managers experience coaching, they adopt a coaching mindset with their teams, creating a culture of growth and engagement that drives KPIs and organisational outcomes.

Balancing coaching with the daily demands of HR - compliance, legislation, and employee relations - can be challenging, but I’m optimistic. The more business leaders see the value of coaching, the more they’ll invest in it, recognising that high-performing managers are the cornerstone of success.

Advice for New Trainees

If you’re starting your journey with The Coaching Academy, my advice is to pace yourself.  I took breaks, pausing my studies in the summer to enjoy the sun, and then went back to it when the sun started to disappear. Treat the journey as a marathon, not a sprint.

Another tip is to share your journey with others! I involved my team and other managers in the company when I started, and they then supported me and were my cheerleaders throughout, celebrating my success when it was over! It takes a village to thrive at work and reach your own growth goals, and so bringing others along on the journey can make the process more fun and meaningful.

Should More HR Professionals Be Coaches?

Absolutely! HR professionals have a unique opportunity to help leaders and managers unlock their potential and delve deeper into their own limiting beliefs, ultimately influencing their impact on team and company performance. Coaching shifts the conversation and focus on forward thinking! It’s about uncovering root causes, planning creative solutions, challenging limiting beliefs, defining what success looks like, and driving meaningful change.

HR needs to be invested in managers’ success - not just telling them what to do, but empowering them to lead with confidence and clarity.  

Final Reflections

The journey with The Coaching Academy has been transformative. Thank you for the opportunity to grow and learn. I’m proud to be a Certified Performance Coach and look forward to continuing my growth as an HR leader.

Thank you Gracia​​​​ for sharing your coaching journey and encouring and inspiring others!

If you’re passionate about helping organisations thrive, consider pursuing a career as a Corporate and Executive Coach. The impact you can make is profound.  Our Corporate and Executive Coach Diploma offers comprehensive training. 

This program covers essential areas like Team Coaching, Leadership Coaching, and Conflict & Resolution Coaching, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this rewarding field.