Coaching

Why Successful Leaders Are Great Coaches

A good coach helps uncover hidden talents, develop new skills, and align abilities with personal and professional goals.

Published

5 hours ago

Aug 18, 2025

M.S. Rao

Image Credit: Midjourney

Can there truly be a coach who doesn’t criticise?
Can there be a critic who doesn’t coach?

While both roles aim to provide perspective, people rarely appreciate a coach who simply criticises. What they value is a coach who offers constructive feedback, guidance that focuses on behaviour, skills, and growth, rather than on the person themselves.

The key difference is this:

Criticism tends to be individual-centric, personal, and often difficult to digest.
Feedback is behaviour-centric, actionable, and easier to accept, making it far more effective for creating change.

A true coach knows the power of feedback and uses it as a tool to help others grow, not to tear them down.

What Coaching Really Is

Coaching is more than advice. It’s an ongoing, professional relationship between the coach and the coachee. A good coach helps uncover hidden talents, develop new skills, and align abilities with personal and professional goals.

Through active listening, open-ended questioning, and continuous feedback, a coach enables the coachee to achieve all-round success. It’s about working smarter, not just harder.

If you find a coach passionate enough to improve your personal, professional, and social life, you are truly lucky.

Great coaches don’t just give answers. They listen deeply, observe carefully, and ask questions that unlock the subconscious mind, helping coachees discover their own solutions.

Types of Coaching

Coaching can take many forms, including:

Personal Coaching – building confidence, self-awareness, and life balance.
Performance Coaching – enhancing results in a specific role or task.
Sports Coaching – improving athletic ability, mindset, and strategy.
Skills Coaching – developing specific technical or soft skills.
Career Coaching – guiding career moves and progression.
Executive & Corporate Coaching – improving leadership and organisational impact.
Life Coaching – helping clients achieve personal goals and fulfilment.
Leadership Coaching – developing influence, decision-making, and vision.

In today’s fast-paced, knowledge-driven world, specialised coaches exist for almost every niche, from wellness to creative entrepreneurship.

Coaching Methods

There are two main coaching approaches:

Directive Coaching – The coach teaches, instructs, and guides with structured lessons or processes.
Non-Directive Coaching – The coach uses questions to lead the coachee toward their own conclusions (often using the Socratic Method).

Both can be effective depending on the coachee’s needs and learning style.

Why Coaching Matters

Coaching is one of the few careers where your success is measured not by your own achievements, but by those you help.

It:

Encourages self-reflection and personal growth.
Helps people realise ambitions and stretch beyond perceived limits.
Builds confidence and resilience.
Shapes the next generation of skilled professionals.

Unlike mentoring, which is generally less structured and based on sharing personal experiences, coaching is formal, interactive, and feedback-driven.

The Qualities of a Great Coach

A strong coach is:

Confidential & trustworthy
A skilled listener
Analytical and objective
Empathetic yet direct
Able to ask the right questions
Results-oriented

Meanwhile, a great coachee is:

Open to learning
Receptive to feedback
Committed to personal growth

The Coaching Process: From Strategy to Success

A successful coaching program has a clear blueprint that aligns with the coachee’s goals. Both coach and coachee should set SMART objectives:

Specific – Clear focus and direction.
Measurable – Progress can be tracked.
Achievable – Goals are realistic.
Relevant – Tied directly to desired outcomes.
Time-bound – Deadlines maintain momentum.

The Five Stages of Coaching

Direction – Defining the purpose and expected results.
Relationship – Building trust and communication.
Development – Engaging in targeted skill-building activities.
Execution – Applying skills while removing obstacles.
Feedback – Measuring outcomes and making adjustments.

The Art of Asking the Right Questions

Great coaches rely on open-ended questions to spark new thinking. Examples include:

What do you want to learn?
What skills would you like to develop?
What’s one step you could take this week toward your goal?
What does success look like for you?
What challenges do you face, and how will you overcome them?

When coachees create their own answers, they take greater ownership of the outcome.

Common Myths About Coaching

Myth 1: Coaches give quick-fix solutions.
Truth: Coaches guide you to find your own solutions by developing your strengths and abilities.

Myth 2: Coaches are superhuman.
Truth: Coaches are ordinary people with extraordinary commitment, skill sets, and tools to help others grow.

Feedback: The Breakfast of Champions

Feedback is essential in coaching, and it must be constructive, specific, and depersonalised.
One effective technique is sandwich feedback:

Start with a positive observation.
Share the area for improvement.
End with encouragement or another positive point.

This approach ensures that even difficult feedback is easier to hear and more likely to be acted upon.

Coaching & Leadership Development

Coaching is inseparable from leadership growth. Leadership Development Programs (LDPs) often include coaching because it’s one of the most effective ways to improve decision-making, communication, and influence.

In a world where technology and change create constant uncertainty, coaching provides the clarity, resilience, and adaptability leaders need.

The Lasting Impact of Coaching

Coaching is a priceless gift, not only for the coachee but for society. The effects ripple outward, influencing teams, organisations, and even future generations.

Coaches may not last forever, but their impact can shape lives for decades.

If you’re a coach, love your profession. Focus on the difference you make, not just the income you earn. And if you’ve never had a coach, find one. The right coach could change the course of your life.

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M.S. Rao

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph. D., is a 21st-century Philosopher and the Father of “Soft Leadership.” He is an International Leadership Guru and the Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India. He has forty-four years of diversified experience, including military, and is the author of fifty-four books, including the award-winning See the Light in You.

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Change Your Mindset

Navigating The Depths Of Self-Love And Relationships With Stefanos Sifandos

Published

1 year ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ray Pang SH

In the vast expanse of personal development and relational expertise, Stefanos Sifandos emerges as a beacon of transformative wisdom. With a journey spanning over two decades, Stefanos has delved into the intricacies of human psychology, relationship dynamics, and self-evolution, crafting a narrative that resonates with the collective longing for deeper connection and self-awareness.

Self-Love Journey

From a turbulent childhood marked by violence and uncertainty, Stefanos embarked on a quest to understand human nature, pain, and potential. His empathic nature, fueled by a desire to make sense of his surroundings, led him to a career in personal development and relationship coaching. With over two decades of experience, he has helped countless individuals, from Olympic gold medalists to corporate leaders, navigate the complexities of human relationships and personal growth.

Stefanos’ journey took a pivotal turn when confronted with his own shadow — his infidelity revealed the depth of his unresolved trauma. This moment of reckoning propelled him into a transformative process of self-examination, leading to profound personal and professional growth. His ability to face his darkest fears and embrace vulnerability allowed him to develop a deeper, more authentic connection with himself and others.

Now, as a father and husband, Stefanos continues to evolve, learning from every relationship and experience. His story is a testament to the power of introspection, resilience, and unconditional love. Through his work, he inspires others to embark on their own hero’s journey, encouraging them to confront their fears, embrace their true selves, and build meaningful, lasting connections.

“Healing begins when we traverse the dark corners of our psyche, face our fears, and step into a life of radical transparency and self-acceptance.” Stefanos

Relationship Philosophy

Stefanos, a seasoned expert with over two decades in personal development, harnesses a rich tapestry of experiences to guide individuals through the complexities of relationships and self-love. Drawing from his own transformative journey, marred by childhood trauma and self-discovery, he advocates for a profound connection with one’s own pain and joy as a pathway to deeper understanding and love.

Stefanos’ work, enriched by engagements with diverse high achievers, from Olympic medalists to CEOs, underscores the universal quest for authentic connection and personal evolution. He emphasises the necessity of facing one’s shadow, fostering play and willingness in relationships, and embracing continuous growth. Stefanos’ approach is a blend of empathetic insight and practical wisdom, offering a roadmap to navigating the nuanced dance of masculine and feminine energetics and cultivating relationships that are both deeply fulfilling and spiritually enlightening.

Stefanos illuminates the path to self-love and intimacy through practices rooted in self-awareness and continual growth. With over two decades in personal development, he emphasises the power of stillness and silence, finding these moments essential for introspection and connection with oneself.

Stefanos integrates physical self-care, like cold immersion and sauna use, to maintain a balanced state of mind and body. He champions the importance of play and novelty in relationships, advocating for a playful spirit to sustain and deepen bonds with partners. His journey reveals a commitment to self-exploration and the courage to face personal shadows, fostering a safe space for intimacy to flourish. Stefanos’ narrative is a testament to the transformative power of embracing vulnerability and the continuous pursuit of self-growth, underscoring the belief that true intimacy begins with a profound connection to oneself.

“The sacred dance of giving and receiving in love is a delicate balance, where the truest form of intimacy is found not in the grand gestures, but in the quiet moments of shared vulnerability and presence.” Stefanos

Sex & Intimacy

Discover the life-altering power of non-ejaculatory orgasm, a mystical journey revealed by relationship expert Stefanos. Dive into an ancient realm where men harness their sexual vitality, transcending the fleeting pleasure of climax.

Stefanos unravels the sacred tapestry of sexual energy, guiding us to preserve our life force for profound intimacy and spiritual awakening. Embrace this transformative practice, merging the physical with the divine, and unlock a wellspring of passion, vitality, and connection. This isn’t just sex; it’s an odyssey into the heart of your erotic essence, where every moment pulses with potential and every breath is an invitation to ecstasy.

Stefanos invites you to reclaim your sexual power, not through the relentless pursuit of orgasm, but by cherishing the journey itself, crafting a legacy of love, vitality, and transcendent pleasure.

A Message To The World

If Stefanos had a global platform, his message would be succinct yet profound:

“Do the thing that you’re unwilling to do but that you know you need to do.”

This call to action embodies the essence of his teachings, urging individuals to confront their fears, embrace their truths, and embark on the journey of transformation with courage and openness.

Stefanos’ journey from a tumultuous childhood to a relationship expert underscores the profound transformation possible in the realm of human connections. His 24-year odyssey through personal and professional development, working with an array of high achievers, has equipped him with unique insights into the dynamics of relationships, especially the interplay of masculine and feminine energies.

His work is vital in today’s society, where distractions and external dissonances challenge the essence of human connection. By integrating deep psychological insights with practical experience, Stefanos guides individuals and couples toward cultivating divine unions and authentic relationships. His approach, focusing on inner work, play, and willingness, offers a blueprint for evolving relationships in the modern era. Stefanos’ narrative is not just a story of personal triumph but a beacon for those navigating the complexities of love, intimacy, and self-discovery in our rapidly changing world.

Key Takeaways For Your Self-Love And Relationship Journey

Embrace Your Inner Journey: Recognize that the path to fulfilling relationships and self-love begins with confronting and healing your own traumas and shadows.
Cultivate Presence and Play: Regular engagement in playful activities and mindful presence enhances intimacy and connection in relationships.
Practice Non-Attachment in Love: Explore the depths of intimacy with a balanced approach to sexual expression, understanding that love and desire can exist in expansive, yet grounded ways.
Be Willing and Open: Approach life and relationships with a willingness to engage in difficult conversations, embodying honesty and integrity in your interactions.
Believe in Your Potential: Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your growth, as relationships are pivotal in navigating the journey towards personal and financial fulfillment.