Coaching in Action: A Leadership Training That Builds Empowered Teams
In April 2026, 20 Reckitt managers came together for a two-day leadership training focused on coaching. From the very start, participants from different cities and roles brought high energy to the room, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Reducing Leaders’ Burden While Empowering Teams
A key message of the workshop was that coaching allows leaders to share responsibility and develop their team’s capabilities. Julie, the trainer, emphasized: “Being the sole decision-maker is exhausting. Coaching is about trusting others and helping them grow. Teaching someone to fish is better than giving them a fish.”
Coaching, therefore, is not only a management approach—it’s a strategy for fostering ownership and resilience within teams.
Coaching vs. Consulting vs. Mentoring
Julie clarified the differences:
- Coaching: question-based, future-focused, guiding individuals toward their own solutions.
- Consulting: provides advice.
- Mentoring: shares experience.
Managers often default to giving instructions, such as “Do it this way.”
While helpful at times, this approach can reduce ownership. Coaching shifts the focus: leaders guide and inspire, letting solutions emerge from the team itself.
Practice Makes Perfect
The training included hands-on exercises, where participants coached volunteers live. Even with the intention to ask open-ended questions, closed questions like “Do you…” or “Have you…” frequently arose.
Julie noted that around 100 hours of practice are needed to reach beginner-level competence, while approximately 2,500 hours are required for expert mastery. Coaching is a skill developed through consistent practice and real-world experience.
Coaching in Daily Life: Insights Beyond the Workplace
The training opened with introductions that revealed how coaching skills touch all aspects of life. One participant, humorously remarked, “Our factory produces the world’s most perfect condoms.” Another participant shared her personal experience, saying her daughter often complains, “Why can’t you be patient with me like you are with your team?” Even her husband joked, “Don’t coach me!” These moments highlighted how coaching extends beyond the workplace, influencing personal interactions and everyday problem-solving.
Results and Takeaways
Reckitt’s leadership coaching training showed that coaching is more than a skill—it’s a mindset. By encouraging ownership, fostering exploration, and committing to ongoing practice, leaders can cultivate teams that are empowered, resilient, and capable of independent problem-solving.
Join Our Next Leadership Coaching Training
If you’re an HR leader or executive looking to develop managers who can coach and empower their teams, our Leadership Coaching Training is for you. Equip your leaders with practical coaching tools, hands-on exercises, and strategies to foster ownership, resilience, and independent problem-solving.
Ready to transform your managers into confident leaders who inspire and grow their teams?
Get in touch with Intandid to design your next training.
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