In the recent webinar, “How to Coach with Compassion, Curiosity, and Courage,” Anja van Beek explored how managers can adopt these principles to create more supportive and productive teams. She highlighted the key differences between coaching and mentoring: mentoring is about sharing experience, while coaching focuses on asking questions that help individuals find their own solutions.
Anja also discussed the role of neuroscience in coaching, explaining that when people are stressed, their ability to think clearly diminishes. Understanding this helps managers create environments where employees feel safe and can perform at their best.
The foundation of effective coaching lies in the “three Cs”: compassion, curiosity, and courage. Compassion involves caring for the individual’s growth, curiosity encourages open-ended questioning without judgment, and courage helps managers step back from giving immediate answers. Instead, the focus should be on helping employees discover their own path forward.
Ultimately, Anja emphasised that coaching is not about being “soft and fluffy” but about fostering accountability and unlocking potential. By adopting this approach, managers can build stronger, more engaged teams.
