Marcel Schwantes

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, knows a thing or two about leadership. He has spearheaded a cultural shift since taking the helm that emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and innovation, guiding Microsoft through a significant turnaround.

In a conversation with Adam Grant during the 2022 Future of Work Conference, Nadella clued us in to a leadership skill that will positively affirm someone as a good leader: coaching.

“Model, Coach, Care”

At Microsoft, Nadella launched the “Model, Coach, Care” framework a few years back. The idea is that Microsoft managers actively role model a coaching mindset and coach their team members to do the same with their colleagues. It’s an approach grounded on genuinely caring for each employee’s personal growth and professional development.

This coaching framework meets the need for teams to create open and trusting spaces where people feel supported in their well-being and success. During the pandemic, Microsoft managers really put this model into action to keep teams connected and focused, even when everyone worked from different places.

Becoming a Good Coach

For starters, if you’re a CEO, you need to identify and train servant leaders to focus on people development. Because today’s leadership is really about helping and guiding people, not just checking off tasks. That’s why Nadella believes that leaders should be more like coaches, supporting employees in reaching their potential by giving them advice, feedback, and encouragement.

Coaching isn’t about micromanaging or barking orders. It’s about listening actively, asking the right questions, and creating an environment where people feel encouraged to figure things out on their own. It’s all about helping your team build their skills so they can tackle current issues and take on future challenges.

For example, when Microsoft shifted to a cloud-first strategy, Nadella didn’t tell each employee exactly how to adapt. Instead, he laid out a vision and coached teams on how to make their work fit with that vision. He helped them grow by spotting learning opportunities, pushing them to challenge themselves, and boosting their confidence to take those steps.

So what does it take to be a good coach? Our leadership development courses teach managers to focus on a few key qualities:

1. Empathy: Get where your team is coming from and what they need to succeed.
2. Feedback: Give them regular, constructive insights to help them improve.
3. Support: Help remove obstacles and provide them with the tools and environment necessary for their development.

Inc