Leadership Coaching, Mentoring, Counselling or Supervision? One Way Is Not Enough

This book outlines a highly practical integrated approach to leader support which has been widely utilised across multiple sectors. In addition to outlining the varied modalities of one-to-one support (counselling, supervision, coaching and mentoring), it challenges the notion that such approaches alone can provide the individual with the confidential support which leaders need. Instead, the book offers an action research based ‘Leadership Inquiry Support’ (LIS) model which holistically integrates multiple modalities of support alongside a strong developmental process. Central to this model is dedication to authentic collaboration in the support relationship. Detail is also provided on how to create such a relationship in non-controlling, non-avoiding, dialogical ways.

Furthermore, this text explores a number of tricky issues, including how those facilitating LIS gain support for themselves and keep themselves safe, the evaluation of LIS, and consideration of ethical, cultural and context variables. This is not a ‘quick-fix’ solution book, but rather a deep and holistic exploration of implementation strategies for LIS backed up by research and real-world, practical experience.