A whole-person approach to leadership and executive coaching

Abstract

Leadership and executive coaching is often used as a development tool for senior leaders. But what is it actually developing? And is it still fit for purpose? In this chapter Dr. Sasha Webster explores what it means to be a leader in today’s organisations, and suggests that current coaching provision may no longer be relevant. The author outlines a strategy for modern leadership that considers a whole-person approach. The strategy moves away from a disease model orientation and questions the over-intellectualisation of some leadership theory whilst dispelling some of the myths that it has been built on. It advocates a framework where individuals take ownership of their own development, take individual personal responsibility for their actions and their own role in their behaviours and highlights the four key qualities of a modern leader. The chapter puts forward a compelling argument for a new approach to coaching that challenges the goals-focused-behavioural-change model. Dr. Sasha shows that while new conversations are emerging, in order to move forward, these conversations will need to evolve. And while leadership coaching has a role to play, the shape of it, and the players within it, will also need to evolve if coaching is going to deliver value to those organisations, their people and society.