Cultivating effective habits is crucial for achieving long-term success as individuals advance in their leadership coaching roles. However, this journey is often fraught with challenges. For instance, a high-potential woman we coached was on the brink of a top-tier promotion but faced barriers like networking issues, a lack of mentorship, and insufficient role models. Similarly, a group of managers we worked with was stuck in a cycle of immediate problem-solving instead of focusing on strategic goals.

These examples underscore a fundamental reality: as leadership roles evolve, the habits that once drove success may no longer be effective. This aligns with Peter’s Principle (1969), which states that employees are promoted based on past performance until they reach a level where they are no longer competent, as skills from one role don’t always transfer to another.

At CoachBase, our executive and leadership coaching helps leaders pinpoint outdated habits and enhance self-awareness, a crucial step in meaningful change. We use various tools, such as powerful questioning, self-assessment, 180 and 360-degree feedback, and psychometrics, to establish a solid foundation for growth.

Our coaching services are designed to help leaders and employees develop new habits that align with their evolving roles and expectations, whether preparing for a promotion or adapting to workplace culture.

2. The Process of Habit Formation

Habit formation involves a three-step loop, as detailed by Charles Duhigg in “The Power of Habit” (2012):

1. Cue: The trigger that initiates the habit.

2. Routine: The behavior that follows the cue.

3. Reward: The benefit gained from the behavior, reinforcing the habit loop.

Understanding these components helps individuals develop or change habits effectively.

3. Common Challenges in Habit Formation

Leaders face several challenges in forming new habits:

Resistance to Change: Comfort with established habits and fear of failure can hinder change.
Lack of Immediate Results: The gradual nature of habit formation can lead to demotivation.
Competing Priorities: Juggling multiple responsibilities can overshadow efforts to develop new habits.
External Pressures: Organizational culture and external factors may resist new habits.

4. How Coaching Supports Habit Change for Leaders

Executive coaching acts as a powerful catalyst for habit formation, enabling leaders and managers to evolve, adopt habits that drive organizational excellence, and fuel personal growth. Here’s how coaching effectively supports this process:

Identifying and Understanding Habits:

Identifying Cues: Coaches work with leaders to become aware of the cues that trigger their habits. This might involve reflective exercises, journaling, or discussions about specific situations leading to certain behaviors. For example, a coach might help a leader identify stress before meetings as a cue for poor communication habits.
Analyzing Routines: Coaches help leaders examine their current routines and assess their impact. This involves understanding the actions taken after the cue and evaluating their effectiveness. For the stressed leader, this might involve speaking hastily or interrupting others.
Exploring Rewards: Coaches assist leaders in identifying the rewards they receive from their routines. They help leaders understand what they gain from their actions and why these rewards matter.

Designing and Implementing New Habits:

Designing New Habits: Once the cues, routines, and rewards are understood, coaches help leaders design new habits. They suggest alternative routines that provide similar rewards. For instance, a coach might recommend that the stressed leader take a few deep breaths and prepare notes before speaking to ensure clearer communication and stress relief.
Incremental Changes: Coaches encourage leaders to start with small, manageable changes that gradually build up to the desired habit. This reduces resistance and makes the process less overwhelming, allowing leaders to adapt more easily to new routines.
Positive Reinforcement: Using American psychologist and behaviorist B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory (a theory of learning that focuses on how behaviors are influenced by rewards and punishments), coaches emphasize recognizing and celebrating small victories. Positive reinforcement helps maintain motivation and solidifies new behaviors, making them more likely to stick.
Mindfulness and Reflection: Coaches incorporate mindfulness practices and reflective exercises to help leaders stay focused and aware of their progress. These techniques enable leaders to recognize patterns, understand triggers, and make conscious adjustments.

Systematic Approach to Habit Formation:

Coaches may also encourage other approaches to support the habit change process:

Leverage Neuroplasticity: Understanding that the brain can form new neural connections is crucial for changing habits. For instance, practising a new leadership habit daily, such as active listening, reinforces the neural pathways associated with this behavior.
Use Implementation Intentions: Based on German psychologist Gollwitzer’s research (known in the field of self-regulation and goal setting), coaches help leaders create specific if-then plans to automate responses to cues. For instance, “If I feel stressed, then I will take three deep breaths and review my priorities.”
Apply the Tiny Habits Method: BJ Fogg’s model suggests starting with tiny, easy-to-do actions. Leaders are encouraged to attach these tiny habits to existing routines for seamless integration. For example, “After I finish my morning coffee, I will write down three priorities for the day”. Or “I will leave my door open for two hours today to encourage people to stop by and foster a culture of leadership approachability”.

Accountability and Progress Tracking:

Last, Coaches support leaders in implementing new habits by setting SMART goals and providing regular check-ins to track progress. Research from Harvard shows that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them than those who do not.

Through this systematic and personalized approach, coaching is a powerful process that helps leaders navigate the complexities of habit change, ensuring they develop the behaviors necessary for sustained success.

5. Working with CoachBase Professional Coaching Platform

CoachBase, a leading Professional Coaching Platform, offers a network of over 550 ICF Certified Coaches across 47 countries. Our services, ranging from executive coaching to comprehensive programs, are supported by a digital platform that measures success and scales coaching initiatives.

Discover how CoachBase’s data-driven approach can enhance your leadership development and foster effective habits for lasting impact.

Contact CoachBase today.

From Good to Great: How Leadership Coaching Transforms Habits?

Table of Contents:

1. Executive Summary