As we finish the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the power of coaching is in the global spotlight. One inspiring story is that of New Zealand swimmer, Tupou Neiufi, a Paralympian whose journey to Paris has been significantly shaped by their coach. After facing self-doubt post-Tokyo 2020, her coach Hannah McLean helped her regain confidence. For Tupou, coaching has been about more than just refining technique; it has provided a space to build resilience, challenge limitations, and stay focused on her purpose despite the pressures of the global stage.
In a fast-paced world, leaders face challenges that are similar to athletes. They are tasked with driving change, often with limited resources and under immense pressure. Individuals need a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and their purpose. Formal coaching offers a safe and structured environment to explore challenges, develop greater self-awareness, and enhance skills to navigate change. As one of our coachees remarked, “It was excellent to have my coach support me in what turned into a time of great change. It particularly benefitted me to have time to focus on my evolving needs and to have an external safe space to talk in.” To find out more, read our two-page flyer here.
Coaching isn’t just for qualified coaches. We believe everyone can use a ‘coaching approach’. Coaching uses the art of questioning and active listening to enable someone to find their own solutions to challenges they face. This can be part of your day-to-day approach to leadership – e.g., in meetings, in brief one-to-one conversations (watch a short example of this here). A key to effective coaching is taking great care about giving advice. This has been described as ‘taming your advice monster’ (find out more about what this means here.
The benefits of coaching can be felt at an individual, team and organisational level (illustrated below). One of our coachees said, “Going into this I was a little apprehensive or perhaps cynical, but I have had my mind completely moved. My Caplor Coach helped me see myself far more clearly in a professional context - perhaps more than at any time through my career. I have come out of the process with far more self-belief and confidence.”
We have a unique coaching framework called the Caplor Coaching Way. Structured around our Caplor House model, this helps guide a coaching process in a way that is straightforward, flexible and focused on the coachee’s needs. For example, building rapport takes place in the ‘Family Room’, where we explore the coachee’s values, beliefs, and preferences. Goal setting is refined in the ‘Library’. Visions can be explored in the ‘Observatory’. Realities and practical plans can be considered in the ‘Kitchen’. Find out more here.
Interested? Whether you are seeking one-on-one coaching or looking to embed a coaching culture within your organisation, we are here to support you on your journey. If you are interested in exploring how coaching can benefit you or your organisation, please get in touch with one of us.
Change maker of the month
Quote: “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because its trust is not on the branch, but on its own wings." - Charlie Wardle
Best wishes
Rosie, Lorna, Kemal and Ian