In this episode of What’s the DEIL? Natalie and Shanté dive deep into the true power and misunderstood value of coaching in the workplace. Not performance management coaching. Not “fix your attitude or lose your job” coaching. We’re talking about real, development-focused, coaching-centered leadership that can transform your entire culture from the inside out.
Too often, coaching is treated as an executive luxury or a last-ditch effort to salvage problematic leaders. But what if coaching wasn’t just for the C-suite or crisis? What if it was a foundational leadership tool applied across all levels of your organization?
In this episode, we explore:
- The real definition of coaching and how it’s distinct from advising, managing, or “correcting.”
- Why coaching should not be reserved only for executives and how restricting it actually reinforces inequity.
- The pitfalls of punitive coaching: why bringing in a coach post-investigation (as damage control) is often too little, too late.
- Why culture matters: without a feedback-friendly workplace, coaching initiatives can fail before they start.
- What it really means to be coachable and how organizations can assess if someone’s truly ready for growth.
- How coaching directly ties into inclusion, belonging, and DEI strategy, not as a checkbox, but as a relationship-driven catalyst for real change.
- The measurable ROI of coaching from reduced turnover and improved engagement to fewer conflicts and better decision-making.
- The steps to build a coaching culture that doesn’t rely on hierarchy, perks, or performance reviews to unlock someone’s potential.
Whether you’re a CEO, a people leader, or someone leading quietly in the background (we see you, Stephanie!), this episode will challenge your assumptions about who gets to grow—and why coaching might be one of the most underutilized tools in your culture toolbox.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is not a title. It’s behavior and it exists at every level of your org.
- Coaching is a mirror. It’s about helping people see themselves, own their choices, and lead with clarity.
- The ROI is real. Reduced attrition, more trust, better collaboration, and a culture where people actually want to stay.
- DEI is embedded. True coaching acknowledges identity, background, and belonging.
Ready to rethink how leadership is developed in your org? Want to create a coaching culture that’s inclusive, strategic, and scalable? Reach out to us below.
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