Being a manager is tough, I’d argue it to be the toughest job in any organisation. You’re expected to deliver the strategy from above while also supporting, motivating, and developing the people in your team. In today’s working world, without core coaching skills, that squeeze can feel relentless.
I know this feeling well. When I managed teams, I often found myself caught in the middle. Targets, budgets, and deadlines pushed one way, while individuals needed guidance, clarity, and encouragement. This was all happening while also considering their individual needs and personal lives. At times, it felt like I was trying to be everything to everyone.
Coaching created more space for creativity
What shifted everything for me was learning coaching and mentoring skills. Suddenly, I wasn’t the person who had to have all the answers. I learnt to ask better questions, to listen more deeply, and to create space for others to be heard. My team (I hope) felt more ownership and energy, and I felt more confident. Coaching didn’t just help them perform better, it helped me manage and be more effective.
That’s one reason why I’m so passionate about the Core Coaching & Mentoring Skills programme as it’s exactly the kind of support I wish I’d had earlier in my career.
Core coaching and mentoring skills
The course contains practical, real-world tools you can start using immediately. Through nine live webinars and hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to:
- Contract effectively, so expectations are clear from the start.
- Use coaching models that make conversations easier, not harder.
- Reflect on your own leadership habits and sharpen your impact.
- Build resilience and confidence- in yourself and in your team.
The programme is also accredited at foundation level with the EMCC, which means you’re learning skills that meet recognised professional standards. That’s a big reassurance, for you and your organisation (irrespective of whether you go on to have a future career as a coach like I did). And Coach Mentoring Ltd has been doing this work for over 20 years — so it’s a quality course developed by the experts.
Navigating the management squeeze
Managers are under more pressure than ever, but there’s also a huge opportunity. The managers who thrive are those who know how to empower, not just instruct. To support, not just direct. Coaching and mentoring skills give you a way to navigate the management squeeze.
If you’d like to transform the way you manage (as I did) this is your chance. Join our autumn cohort, or bring the programme in-house for your team.
Either way, get in touch for a chat!
