Leader as coach program
Enabling leaders to develop their skills and confidence
to empower others through the power of coaching
Program overview
The Leader as Coach Program from the Australian Leadership Academy is designed to equip leaders with the mindset, skills, and practical tools required to lead through coaching rather than directive management. In today’s fast-paced and complex environments, traditional leadership approaches are no longer sufficient to unlock the full potential of individuals and teams. This program supports leaders to shift from “telling” to “asking,” fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous development.
Grounded in contemporary leadership theory and evidence-based coaching practices, the program focuses on building core coaching capabilities that can be immediately applied in the workplace. Participants learn how to hold meaningful developmental conversations, actively listen with intent, and ask powerful questions that stimulate insight and ownership. The experience is highly interactive, combining facilitated workshops, real-play scenarios, and reflective exercises to embed learning deeply.
This program supports leaders to shift from
“telling” to “asking”
A key feature of the program is its practical relevance. Leaders work on real challenges and conversations they are currently facing, ensuring that learning translates directly into impact. Through guided practice and feedback, participants build confidence in coaching others across a variety of contexts, whether supporting performance improvement, career development, or navigating change.
The program also emphasises the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own leadership style, beliefs, and habits, and how these influence their interactions with others. By developing greater awareness and intentionality, leaders are better positioned to create empowering environments where individuals and teams can thrive.
PROGRAM delivery
The Leading as Coach Program is delivered using the Australian Leadership Academy’s blended, experiential learning approach, combining self-paced prework, an online program introduction, and a high-impact facilitated workshop. This structure ensures participants arrive prepared, maximise in-session learning, and actively apply leadership capability within their own organisational context. The program is intentionally designed to progressively build capability while reinforcing practical workplace application and sustained leadership impact.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The Leader as Coach Program builds coaching capability, conversational confidence, and practical leadership skills through a structured and immersive learning experience. The program strengthens the capability required to lead through coaching conversations, enabling participants to more effectively develop, support, and empower others in the workplace. Learning is applied, reflective, and immediately transferable to everyday leadership practice.
Introduction to organisational coaching and its role in effective leadership
Understand the principles and benefits of a coaching-based leadership approach
Demonstrate core coaching skills, including listening, questioning, and presence
Conduct structured and purposeful coaching conversations in the workplace
Build trust and rapport to support open, honest, and reflective dialogue
Apply coaching techniques to performance, development, and change conversations
Strengthen capability to support others through insight, reflection, and growth
Reflect on personal coaching style and identify ongoing development opportunities
a structured
and immersive learning journey that blends theory, practice, and reflection
Program Delivery
Note: The program structure above is a draft delivery option. The Australian Leadership Academy can design a bespoke Leader as Coach Program tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation.
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Participants begin their journey with a curated set of prework activities designed to introduce foundational coaching concepts and encourage early reflection. This includes short readings, video content, and guided questions to prompt thinking about current leadership style, challenges, and opportunities to adopt a coaching approach. The prework ensures all participants commence with a shared baseline understanding.
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The program formally commences with a live, facilitator-led virtual session. This interactive introduction sets expectations, establishes the learning environment, and connects participants to the broader purpose of coaching as a leadership capability. Participants are introduced to key frameworks and begin exploring the shift from directive leadership to a coaching mindset.
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Prior to Workshop 1, participants complete targeted prework to deepen their understanding of core coaching skills. This includes reflection exercises and preparation for real workplace scenarios they will bring into the session. The focus is on readiness to practise coaching conversations in a safe and supported environment.
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Workshop 1 is a highly interactive, face-to-face session focused on building foundational coaching skills. Participants engage in practical exercises to develop active listening, powerful questioning, and presence. Through real-play activities and peer feedback, leaders begin applying coaching techniques to everyday conversations, building both competence and confidence. description.
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Between workshops, participants are encouraged to apply their learning in the workplace and reflect on their experiences. Prework for Workshop 2 includes structured reflection, identification of challenges encountered, and preparation of more complex coaching scenarios. This ensures the second workshop builds on real-world application and learning.
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Workshop 2 deepens and extends coaching capability, focusing on more advanced application. Participants refine their coaching approach, practise navigating challenging conversations, and explore how to embed coaching into their leadership routines. The session emphasises sustainability, helping leaders integrate coaching into team culture and everyday leadership practice.
PROGRAM IMPACT
Leaders who complete the Leader as Coach Program experience a fundamental shift in how they engage with their teams. Moving beyond a reliance on direction and advice, they develop the confidence to ask more purposeful questions, listen more deeply, and create space for others to think and contribute. This shift enables leaders to unlock capability within their teams, rather than feeling the need to carry the responsibility themselves.
As a result, leaders become more effective at developing others, building stronger and more authentic relationships, and fostering a culture of accountability and growth. Coaching becomes embedded in everyday conversations, from informal check-ins through to performance and development discussions. Over time, this creates an environment where individuals feel supported, challenged and empowered to take ownership of their work and development.
At an organisational level, these changes translate into measurable impact. Organisations benefit from improved employee engagement, enhanced individual and team performance, and a more resilient and adaptable workforce. By building leadership capability at all levels, the program supports the creation of a sustainable coaching culture that drives both people and performance outcomes.
THE BENEFITS OF COACHING INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SKILLS AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
What our clients say
CONTACT US
For further information or to arrange a meeting with our team, please complete the Contact Us form.
Email: office@australianleadershipacademy.com.au
Telephone (03) 9517 6771