Lessons from a Decade of Coaching Public Leaders: Coaching Works!

L Yount International Journal of Coaching in Organizations 2008

The author shares her experiences and insights from over a decade of coaching government leaders. Working with senior managers, directors, and political appointees, she has identified eight lessons that have held true working with public leaders. This article profiles several public servants, their barriers and the breakthroughs that enabled them to become more powerful and effective leaders. Examples include individuals as well as management teams, as well as long-term leadership development cohort programs. The author makes a strong case for the effectiveness of executive coaching for productive leadership development, particularly in the civil servant organization.