Coaching Is Servant Leadership

What is Coaching and Why is it Important?
The coaching profession is experiencing explosive growth in the United States and abroad. Professional coaching centers on the goal of unlocking an individual’s potential to maximize his or her performance. Paul's teaching to the Philippians spoke of such a life. He encouraged all believers real joy does not come from man, but rather it comes from God, who gives inspiration and desires that believers do all things according to His will. The message Paul delivered was one of hope in Philippians 4:13; this verse speaks of living a full life, powered by faith. Paul also encouraged his readers that sufficiency is given when you believe. In Proverbs 27:15, Solomon teaches the importance of engaging individuals (iron sharpens iron) who are willing to assist others in reaching their full potential. Solomon's message, then, is still relevant; there is still a need for wise counsel. Such individuals will ask thought-provoking questions that cause you to look at where you currently are in relation to where you desire to be in a realistic manner. This level of reflection requires a relationship with a thinking partner, one who is willing to allow you to think out loud without judgment or allowing your position, whether great or small, to interfere with your desires. Coaching has an extensive history tracing back to the Bible. In the Bible, we see examples of coaching in the way God interacted with Adam, with Jesus, and then with the 12 disciples. In the 1960s, modern-day coaching was known as developmental counseling; since then it has evolved into developmental coaching. The primary foci of coaching improve and develop skills for the purpose of making better decisions. In recent years, coaching has become explosive due to its ability to bring about change that is both needed and accepted. Leadership coaching is an acceptable way to achieve a particular strategy, improve performances, or simply assist an individual in their personal lives to reach another level. Coaching does not tell others to come prepared to provide answers. Coaching leads the coachee to think of other ways to reach his or her goals. Coaching prompts thought-provoking questions to assist in moving the coachee forward.
Coaching is initiated when either an individual or organization recognizes the need to improve. The search for a coach often starts with questions such as:
1) What kind of coach is needed to assist with ongoing personnel, team, or organizational issues?
2) Is the coach going to assist with leadership or performance?
3) What does leadership development and coaching entail?
4) What should a potential client or coachee look for in a coach?
5) Does it matter if the coach is internal or external?
6) What should I expect from a coach?
7) Are there particular skills, certifications, and education professional coaches are supposed to have?
Words such as coach, coaching, mentor, mentoring, teaching, assessments, discipleship, servant, and servant leadership are terms which will be used throughout this book to discuss the topic of coaching. Before we go further, let me explain what coaching is and why is it essential in faith-based/religious organizations.
Servant Leadership
When we hear the term servant leader, many Christians think of Jesus the Christ, not Robert Greenleaf (2002), the pioneer who coined the term. Servant leadership is often described as placing the needs of others before self. This understanding of servant is referenced in Matthew’s account of what Jesus tells James and John’s mother in Matthew 20:28: “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (ESV).
Mary, Jesus’ mother, had the definition of servant leadership correct when she talked to the angel who visited her. In Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord: Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her” (ESV). Mary’s willing acceptance to serve is aligned with Robert Greenleaf’s (2002) definition of servant leader as one who desires to take on the same demeanor, behavior, and attitude as those whom they serve. Faith-based leaders who understand what coaching is and the importance of coaching grasp the concept of being a servant leader in alignment with Robert Greenleaf’s (2002) belief that the act of serving is a natural feeling in which one wants to serve first.
What is Coaching
Coaching develops! Coaching is moving individuals from where they currently are to where they ought to be! As a leader who has served in many positions in the church, business, and the military, I know and have experienced personally that coaching is a useful tool. I am an advocate for developing skills, exploring possibilities, enhancing capacity, and tapping into the maximum potential of individuals, especially those serving in leadership positions. Most of all, in a Christian spiritual position, coaching allows an individual to hear from the Holy Spirit and activate a plan of action in fulfilling the calling on one’s life here and now.
Coaching initiatives in a faith-based organization lead to development. Faith-based leaders of organizations must recognize coaching has benefits, has values, and is needed, especially if there is a desire to grow more servant leaders. As a faith-based leader, you may question why coaching is vital in the church. Coaching is a jewel with brilliance and clarity many organizations are beginning to gravitate toward because it inspires learning and fosters development. Leadership is vital to any organization, but especially within the faith community coaching adds another dimension to the capacity and experience of individuals leading and serving.