Coaching leaders is always a rewarding experience, and working with an international team of chapter leads at one of our partner companies in the industrial space was no exception. Over five interactive online sessions, each two hours long, we explored practical tools to help them lead learning better in their roles. The goal was to provide real, actionable methods they could implement immediately, focusing on topics such as feedback, coaching techniques, and retrospectives.
A practical and engaging learning experience
The sessions were designed to be highly interactive, with breakout rooms playing a key role in keeping participants engaged and active. Group work in smaller rooms enabled deeper discussions, allowing everyone to participate and reflect on their own leadership style. As one participant noted, “group work in rooms is stimulating and forces participation.” Throughout the sessions, we focused on providing practical tools that could be applied directly to their roles. One participant shared that they appreciated “getting some tools in my new chapter lead role for leading persons.” The mix of conversations, AI activities, and exercises made the learning process feel closely tied to real-life leadership challenges: “The conversations, methodology, and exercises were closely related to real cases.”
Coaching as a mindset shift
Beyond just methods and frameworks, the program encouraged a shift in mindset—moving from giving direct answers to supporting team-driven problem-solving. One participant reflected how
“The topics of the course are applicable even outside of work and in situations where I’m not formally a leader. It opened my eyes to the fact that it’s not always best to give direct answers but more developmental to let others come up with their own solutions.”
Coaching as a leadership tool was a key theme, and the participants appreciated how the structure of the course reinforced it. As one noted,
“Coaching as a topic is interesting, and the material and approach in this course supported this well.” This approach not only provided immediate techniques but also encouraged long-term growth and adaptability in their roles.
Encouraging reflection and behavior change
A major takeaway for many was the opportunity to reflect on their own leadership styles and consider how they could change their behavior to be more effective managers. One participant shared,
“The training gave some food for thought on how I can change my own behavior and style as a manager.” Another highlighted the usefulness of example cases in bringing theory into practice.
Looking ahead
By the end of the program, the chapter leads had gained practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to build and sustain learning cultures within their teams. The interactive format, combined with hands-on exercises and discussions, ensured that the experience was engaging and directly applicable to their daily work. As they take these learnings forward, their ability to lead learning within the company will only continue to strengthen.