A Healthcare Coaching Culture Starts with Leaders

Physicians are well-trained in providing exceptional patient care, yet many discover that essential leadership skills—such as effective communication and people management—are not emphasized enough in their formal education. Coaching skills fill this gap, offering adaptable tools that enhance how we connect with patients, support colleagues, and guide our teams.

Building a coaching culture doesn’t happen by chance. It requires intentional effort, sustained development, and a shared commitment to growth. Over time, this investment transforms how people lead, communicate, and collaborate. And, as with any meaningful and lasting change, it begins—and is sustained—through strong leadership.

Why Leadership Is the Root of Coaching Culture

A coaching culture only takes hold in an organization when leaders actively model it themselves. When leaders cultivate a coaching culture, they create an environment where development is a shared responsibility. Employees begin to understand that learning is an ongoing process, a setback is a chance to learn and grow, and open dialogue is encouraged. When leadership models the coaching mindset, a coaching culture can spread organically throughout the organization.

3 Steps to Growing a Healthcare Coaching Culture

A coaching culture is something that needs to be planted and fertilized for it to grow and become self-sustaining. It isn’t a one-time workshop or a short-term initiative. Rather, it's a shift in mindset that takes ongoing effort. Here are three steps to growing a coaching culture:

Step 1: Build Engagement Through Experience. When leaders and employees have the opportunity to experience authentic coach training, they can better understand the model and its benefits. This shared experience builds understanding and reduces skepticism throughout the organization.

Step 2: Ongoing Educational Opportunities. In any organization, cultural shifts often come with questions, resistance, or uncertainty. Ongoing educational opportunities for people to learn and engage on their own terms helps people understand why coaching matters, how it fits into their roles, and the ability to learn and grow on their terms.

Step 3: Make Development Continuous, Not Conditional. A coaching culture thrives on regular communication, ongoing feedback, and a growth mindset. Instead of using coaching only when problems arise, organizations integrate it into everyday practices like team meetings, one-on-ones, project reviews, and more. Over time, coaching becomes a natural part of how work gets done.

The Benefits of a Coaching Culture in Healthcare

A strong coaching culture offers benefits that reach far beyond improved communication, such as:

• Higher Engagement: Employees feel supported and valued when leaders invest in their growth.
• Personal and Professional Growth: A coaching culture encourages people to stretch their thinking, pursue development opportunities, and take ownership of their jobs.
• Engaged Leaders at Every Level: Leaders sharpen their communication skills, become better active listeners, and make more informed decisions, and emerging leaders learn from their example.

Transforming Coaching From a Task to a Way of Working

When leaders plant the seeds of a coaching culture and continue to nurture the environment, coaching becomes embedded in the organization’s DNA. The result is a more engaged workforce, stronger adaptability during change, and continuous growth that benefits individuals and the organization as a whole. A sustainable coaching culture isn’t built overnight, but with committed leadership and consistent nourishment, it becomes a powerful force for long-term success.

Resources:

• ICF Coaching Culture Research | Insights and Impact
• Sustainable Coaching Culture: The Shift from Check-the-Box to Lasting Change