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  • Writer's picturePeter Foxhoven

When it comes to leadership styles, how do you know what to do when you're coaching vs directing?

Peter Foxhoven pointed out that most of the time, the distinction between Coaching and Directing is the manner in which the leader communicates instructions to their subordinates. A leader who directs the operations of his or her team will not solicit the opinions and input of his or her team members. Employees that are well-informed and capable of understanding events and making sound judgments are the most suited candidates for this type of management. Furthermore, this method is best suited for managers that place their faith in their people to make the best judgments possible.


Leadership that is based on performance is the most popular type of leadership in most organizations. Performance-based executives put a strong emphasis on recognising the requirements of the organization and the people who work there. They establish a vision for the business and utilize their power to inspire workers to work toward that vision. Those who want to establish long-term employee commitment should use this style, whereas those who want to drive outcomes without building long-term connections should use the Directing approach.


Peter Foxhoven suggested that, while both styles can be helpful in some situations, it is crucial to pick the approach that is most appropriate for the particular scenario at hand. In order to address the demands of your business and its employees, you should ideally use a combination of the two approaches. In contrast, if your objective is to lead a team, you should employ a certain style for certain activities, such as managing meetings or ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute to the team's success.



It is advisable to use a transactional leadership style when you wish to set defined responsibilities for your team members. You can provide excellent supervision and direction in this approach, but you are not required to participate in any of the decision-making processes. The upshot is that originality and thinking outside the box are often squashed by this type of management. When in doubt about which leadership style to use, communicate with your team about the differences between the two approaches.


Pacesetting is akin to forceful leadership in its effectiveness. This management style sets the tone and expects staff to keep up with it. The bottom line is that this strategy is not the greatest solution in many instances, and it is likely to result in issues down the road. It will also have a negative impact on morale, adaptability, and responsibility. The primary goal of a coaching style is to increase the performance of the athletes. The work might be difficult at times, so be certain that the objectives are attainable by your team members before setting them.


Coaches have a tendency to be more inclusive and collaborative in their approach to coaching. Collaborative and creative thinking are encouraged by coaches, who also give people the ability to make their own judgments. They are more effective communicators. A coaching approach is also more beneficial for long-term strategic thinking than a directive method. As a result, many leaders choose to use a coaching approach since it is more advantageous to all parties involved. The distinction between coaching and directing leadership is finely drawn.


It is known as the autocratic style of leadership. An autocratic leader is one who leaps into a situation and takes judgments without consulting or allowing individuals to grow on their own. They may have the advantage of maintaining team cohesion and efficiency, but they are also renowned for stifling innovation and originality inside the organization. Because of this, they can cause a significant amount of tension and dissatisfaction. These two types of leadership are not appropriate for all situations and are not interchangeable.


Collaboration - A collaborative management style is an effective management style for teams who are highly motivated and perform well as a team. It may, however, have negative effects for performance and may cause staff to feel that they are without a leader. However, while this kind of leadership can be helpful for long-term aims, it is less effective when the people engaged lack experience or drive. It's also not very beneficial for one's own personal growth. When it comes to teams that are highly driven and capable, this approach is frequently more suited.


Democratic leadership style - Democratic leadership includes group members in decision-making and is frequently more participatory in its approach. The democratic model decentralizes power and encourages people to offer their thoughts and suggestions. The Democratic Leader conducts team meetings and asks probing questions in order to get an agreement on a solution. It is the democratic leader's responsibility to guarantee that the best choice is made for the group. Autocratic styles are no longer accepted in today's culture; instead, democratic styles are desired.


Peter Foxhoven believes that, servant-style leaders are those that put the needs of their team ahead of their personal interests. They put emphasis on encouraging their team members to submit ideas and to build trust among one another. They place a high value on the goals of their team members as well as the success of the business. However, if the leader does not maintain a healthy balance between control and authority, the affiliative style may not be the best choice. The consequence may be a reduction in authority and vision while an increase in team performance as a result of this type of leadership. On the negative side, it might be seen as being weaker as a result.

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