"Foster a Culture that Embraces Coaching, Not Just Provides It!"

I had the opportunity to participate in the GPS Annual Summit organized by EMCC Global for coaches and mentors that took place during the month of October 2024. One of the speakers shared a thought that resonated with me and stayed on my mind for several days. She emphasized the importance of fostering a culture that supports coaching rather than merely establishing a coaching culture. I found it necessary to jot down my thoughts to fully grasp the distinction between the two, and trust me, the difference is both profound and impactful.

Creating a culture that promotes coaching focuses on embedding coaching practices and mindsets into everyday interactions, making coaching a natural part of how people collaborate and grow. Rather than just having formal coaching programs or systems in place, this approach encourages continuous, informal coaching moments—whether through feedback, guidance, or mentoring (think about the powerful role reverse-mentoring can play in this space) —across all levels of the organization. It’s about creating an environment where coaching is seen as a tool for mutual development, not a top-down directive. This approach has the potential to successfully facilitate the integration of various generations in the workplace.

A coaching culture, on the other hand, often refers to a more structured, formalized approach, where coaching is integral to leadership development and organizational values.

While both are valuable, promoting coaching through everyday behaviors and practices, fosters an ongoing, organic support system for growth and innovation.

My key insight from this is: "Foster a culture that *embraces* coaching rather than merely one that *provides* coaching!"