#151 Why should anyone be coached by you?

In the coaching profession, we often ask clients to reflect on their values, goals and impact. But how often do we turn that lens on ourselves, not just as coaches, but as leaders in relational practice?

Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones (2000) offer a provocative question: Why should anyone be led by you? Their research suggests that followers (or clients, in our case) judge leadership through three lenses: vision, consistency and care. Crucially, these are perceptions, or felt experiences. Clients want to know where you’re taking them, whether you authentically ‘walk your talk’ and if you genuinely care.

This triad of characteristics offers a powerful framework to explore in supervision. Vision invites us to clarify our coaching purpose - not just session goals, but the deeper ‘why’ behind our practice. Consistency challenges us to align our methods with our values, especially when the work gets messy. And care? That’s the heartbeat of ethical coaching. It shows up in our boundaries, our presence, and our willingness and capability to hold space with empathy.

Supervision is an ideal space to explore how these qualities show up and where they falter. We jointly notice the subtle shifts in tone, the moments of doubt, the patterns that repeat. Not to judge, but to illuminate blind spots. Because when we shine that light, you will coach with greater clarity and courage.

So, if you’re wondering how to deepen your impact or find your coaching edge, take it to supervision; it might just be the space you didn’t know you needed. It’s not about judging or fixing; rather, it’s about fine-tuning. And in a profession built on trust, that tuning matters.

Check out my supervision offer at www.growthecoach.com.

Reference: Goffee, R., & Jones, G. (2000). Why should anyone be led by you? Harvard Business Review, September/October, 2000.