Coach Training for Leaders and Managers

Coach training for managers and leaders teaches people who lead teams how to use coaching skills as part of their day-to-day role, and can lead to full accreditation as a professional coach. Participants learn practical questioning, listening, and feedback techniques based on Sir John Whitmore’s GROW model, delivered as short workshops from 90 minutes or as fully accredited programmes up to five days, or the online equivalent. Our leader-focused coach training is delivered face-to-face or online, globally, and is accredited by the ILM, the Association for Coaching, and CfPAC. If you’re an individual looking to become a professional coach, visit our Become a Coach page instead.

Cultivate a Coaching Mindset and create a Coaching Culture within your organisation with our comprehensive coaching training programmes for managers and leaders. We provide in-person and online global coaching workshops, designed to accommodate various budgets and schedules. Choose from a broad range of options, including introductory coaching workshops for a foundational understanding of coaching skills, through to our flagship coaching and mentoring course Performance Coaching for Leadership. This integrates Leader as Coach skills into your managers’ day-to-day leadership styles and, for organisations seeking to develop an in-house team of coaches, provides ILM accreditation as a professional coach. We have been building a Coaching Culture in organisations, and a Coaching Mindset in their leaders, globally for more than two decades. Our coaching training programmes and workshops have been named by many participants as the best management training they have ever experienced.

Based on pioneer Sir John Whitmore’s time-honoured GROW Model, our coaching skills training and workshops for managers use straightforward, easy-to-remember techniques that transform your managers’ leadership approach and boost team cohesion. These coaching programmes are designed to enhance self-awareness, energy, potential, and personal impact at a profound level, effecting deep-rooted culture change.

Who is this coaching training for?

Our coaching training programmes are delivered to organisations worldwide as global face-to-face or online programmes, for CEOs, C-Suite, senior and middle managers, team leaders, HR business partners, learning and development staff, internal coaches, and anyone wishing to improve their communication skills, develop emotional intelligence, and build a Coaching Mindset.

This training is designed for people who lead teams and want coaching skills as part of their leadership toolkit and for organisations wishing to build a team of internal coaches. If you are an individual looking to build a full coaching practice or gain professional coach certification, our Become a Coach open course is the right place to start.

Our coaching programmes for leaders

We offer a range of coaching programmes that flex to your organisation’s needs, budget, and time available. Every programme is anchored in the GROW model and delivered by our senior training team.

Flagship five-day Performance Coaching for Leadership programme. Delivered over 2-6 months, in person or as the online equivalent. Integrates coaching skills to the level of true coaching leadership, transforming leadership styles and organisational cultures. This programme also provides full accreditation as a professional coach through ILM, the Association for Coaching, and CfPAC (see Certification section below), enabling organisations to build an internal coaching capability.

Four-day Leader as Coach programme. Designed to embed coaching into managers’ everyday leadership styles. Available face-to-face or as online sessions.

Half-day and full-day coaching workshops. Suitable for teams new to coaching, or as a refresher for those with existing training. Practical, interactive, and immediately applicable in the workplace.

90-minute introductory coaching sessions. Ideal for leadership away-days, all-hands sessions, or as a taster before committing to a longer programme.

All programmes are available worldwide, delivered in English by our senior coaching training team, and can be tailored to your organisation’s leadership models and existing L&D framework.

What does the coaching training cover?

Depending on the length of the training, the curriculum may include foundation coaching skills, the GROW Model, a framework for Coaching Feedback, Team Coaching and how to host a Generative Thinking Meeting, Conflict Resolution, coaching Self-limiting Beliefs, and developing a Coaching Mindset. The training raises awareness of self and one’s impact on others. Our longer programmes carry several types of accreditation including CfPAC (Coaching for Performance Accredited Coach), ILM (the leadership arm of City & Guilds), and the Association for Coaching. Full details of accreditation options are in the Certification section below.

Coaching workshops for leaders

Our coaching workshops and shorter courses offer an introduction to coaching skills for managers and leaders, through to more advanced levels of coaching leadership. They work as standalone sessions or as building blocks toward a longer programme.

90-minute introductory coaching workshop. A practical taster covering foundation coaching skills, active listening, and open questioning. Ideal for team away-days.

Half-day coaching workshop. Introduces the GROW model with hands-on practice. Participants leave with a framework they can apply immediately.

Full-day coaching workshop (or online equivalent). Combines the GROW model with Coaching Feedback techniques and self-awareness exercises. Delivered face-to-face or as an online session.

Multi-day workshop series (or online equivalent). Two to four workshops delivered over weeks or months, allowing managers to embed and practise between sessions.

All coaching workshops for leaders are delivered by our senior training team, feature live demonstrations and small-group practice, and are tailored to your organisation’s context.

How long is the coaching training?

Full mastery of coaching skills for leaders and managers, including professional coach accreditation, requires 5 days of training spread over 2-6 months, or the equivalent in online sessions lasting 2-4 hours each. This is the course that creates a Coaching Culture in your organisation and a Coaching Mindset in your leaders.

Our shorter Leader as Coach training can be delivered in any length from 90-minute introductory sessions, half-day or full-day coaching workshops, through to 4-day programmes (or the online equivalent) which embed coaching into your managers’ everyday leadership styles.

Coaching for high performance

The GROW Model, on which our coaching training programmes are built, was popularised by Sir John Whitmore in his best-selling book “Coaching for Performance”. The book has sold more than a million copies worldwide and is widely regarded as the definitive text on workplace coaching.

Culture at Work founder Carol Wilson worked in direct partnership with Sir John Whitmore during the final decade of his life. This partnership shapes how we teach coaching for performance to leaders and managers today. The GROW framework, when applied by managers within their own teams, unlocks measurable improvements in performance, engagement, and staff retention, because it treats every conversation as a coaching opportunity, not a directive one.

Coaching for higher performance in your leaders is not about adding another layer of process. It is about equipping managers with a mindset and a set of techniques that make every conversation more productive.

Our courses:

• are designed by business people for business people
• are structured to be practical, embed coaching and mentoring skills for the long term, and make efficient use of participants’ time
• use best practices refined and shaped by the feedback of thousands of participants
• draw on novel learning techniques developed by coaching pioneer Carol Wilson in conjunction with GROW co-creator Sir John Whitmore, influenced by Carol’s experiences with thought leaders including Tim Gallwey, David Grove, and Nancy Kline, and drawing on Carol’s 25 years of board-level experience including 10 years as a Managing Director at Virgin reporting directly to renowned coaching leader Sir Richard Branson.
• Can be undertaken anywhere in the world either in person or online.

Our coach training team

All the members of our coach training team are fully qualified in our methods and have worked with us  delivering GROW coaching skills training to organisations for between 5 and 20 years. They all have experience as managers in the workplace themselves, as well as at least 10 years of delivering coaching and coach training to managers at all levels of seniority including CEO.

Our trainers are experienced coaches and trainers, handpicked for their exceptional presentation skills when delivering both face-to-face and online coach training, for their empathy, and for their proficiency in creating a safe and stimulating training environment. They recognise that the keys to developing a Coaching Mindset lie in trust and open communication, and they understand that our participants are busy corporate executives who want  straightforward, practical skills that can be immediately applied in their professional settings, and that translate  directly into actionable insights and techniques for real-world application.

Our approach to coaching skills training

Our in-person and online coaching courses and workshops are interactive and practical, featuring live demonstrations by the instructor, volunteer participation, group discussions, and hands-on practice. This experiential learning approach ensures that participants actively engage with the content, tailoring the learning experience to their individual needs.

Between sessions, trainees are assigned practical exercises to reinforce their newly acquired skills. These assignments encourage experimentation and personal growth, allowing participants to practise in a safe environment with a peer from the course, and to gradually introduce their emerging Leader as Coach techniques at work. The aim is to seamlessly integrate coaching techniques into their distinct leadership styles, enhancing their effectiveness as leaders.

Our online coaching skills training programmes have proved to be as effective and energising as our face to face coaching courses, enabling us to provide global coaching skills training without incurring costs in terms of travel expenses or time.

Coach training with the GROW Model

Participants who have previously undertaken coaching skills training frequently tell us that it was only through our courses that they truly grasped how to apply the GROW coaching model effectively. Our unique insight stems from the privilege of learning directly from Sir John Whitmore, the pioneer of the GROW model, during our collaborative partnership in the final decade of his life. This rare advantage allows us to offer an unparalleled depth of understanding and application of the model to our trainees.

The secret of our coaching and mentoring courses lies in the flexibility of the GROW model, and the way our training enables participants to understand the purpose behind each category of questions. Read an article on The GROW Model.

The Coaching Mindset

We view ‘Coaching Culture’ as a holistic concept which encompasses not just skills, but also the attitudes and behaviours prevalent within an organisation. There is a common misconception that coaching training only involves acquiring special techniques, like listening and questioning. While these skills are fundamental for any coaching leader, our experience attests that developing a Coaching Mindset and leading with a coaching approach goes beyond mere technique: it is the intent behind the interaction that truly counts, namely treating people with respect, prioritising their development, believing in their highest potential, cultivating mutual trust, and nurturing self-belief.

In today’s dynamic leadership landscape, the ability to seamlessly transition between providing clear direction, offering mentorship, and facilitating self-directed learning through coaching questions is essential. While there are instances where managers must explicitly instruct their teams on what actions to take or avoid, adopting a Coaching Mindset enables them to weave directive management naturally into their Leader as Coach style.

This approach cultivates managers who are not only adept listeners and effective mentors but also more impactful leaders. Within the comprehensive framework of the GROW coaching model, where trust is paramount and individuals are empowered to realise their potential, any guidance provided is perceived not just as instruction, but as an inspirational and motivational facet of the manager-team relationship.

All the modules of our face-to-face and online coaching courses and workshops are specifically tailored to provide examples relevant to the client organisation, and participants coach each other on issues currently occurring in their workplace.

Any leadership models currently in use in your organisastion may be integrated into our programmes, so that your investment in prior learning is not lost.

We are committed to ensuring that the impact of our interventions with your organisation is captured in a way that is meaningful to your business. We will work with you to develop a coaching skills courses and workshops  that meet your specific requirements and objectives, in terms of behavioural change, budget, and time constraints.

Certification and Credentials

Both our in-person five-day and online-equivalent coaching training programmes provide full accreditation as a professional coach through ILM and CfPAC, and align with the training requirements for coach accreditation with the Association for Coaching (AC) and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). (Please note that AC and ICF accreditations must be applied for directly with each organisation). Participants can choose from the following accreditation options:

Every successful candidate receives the certificate CfPAC (Coaching for Performance  Accredited Coach) which incorporates the title of Sir John Whitmore’s bestselling book in recognition of his contribution to the design of our coaching and mentoring courses.

An ILM Recognised Certificate & Digital Credential. The ILM is the leadership arm of City & Guilds, the foremost provider of workplace coaching qualifications in the UK and recognised worldwide. We are also able to supply ILM Level 5, Level 7, and Level 7 Diploma Credentials. For more details please visit our Coaching Accreditation page.

This course is accredited  by the Association for Coaching (AC) and meets the AC’s coach training requirement for Professional Coach and Professional Executive Coach accreditation. Please note that the AC has its own application process, fees and criteria for accreditation as a coach. You can find full details on the Association for Coaching website.

ICF Accredited Coach Training

For candidates who wish to go on to undertake accreditation as a coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF), we can provide one-to-one coach training sessions to fulfil the ICF’s minimum requirement of “coach-specific training” hours. Please note that the ICF has its own application process, fees and criteria for accreditation as a coach. You can find full details on the ICF website. 

Free membership of the Association for Coaching

Every participant on our accredited coaching course receives 12 months’ membership of the Association for Coaching  as an integral part of the course, free of charge. This benefit is included with both in-person and online coach training courses.

This membership gives access to a wealth of information and support that is an invaluable benefit to those becoming professional coaches or looking to improve their leadership skills, as well as reduced priced attendance to the Association’s wide spread of coaching events, co-coaching and coaching supervision.

Membership benefits are the equivalent of the Association’s Associate level individual coach accreditation.

Free access to the ILM Walled Garden

Free access to the ILM’s Walled Garden knowledge bank is granted to every ILM Recognised Certificate candidate for the duration of the course.

For further information

If you are an individual looking to attend an open coaching course to become a professional coach, visit our Become a Coach open course page.

To bring our coaching workshops and programmes into your organisation, contact us for a bespoke proposal.

Reviews of our  coaching courses and workshops

For many more reviews please visit our Client Reviews page

• “Then, this year came to me with a gift, a precious and immeasurable gift: Manager as Coach training. None of the previous courses around people management I ever attended has brought me such a powerful and impactful method to help people reach their own goals. It has been a real eye-opener and a revelation of what a coach is.” – Dominique Andrey, Manager Quality Assurance, Philip Morris Products SA, Switzerland.
• “We have really valued the coaching and mentoring training provided by Culture at Work. People always enjoy the courses and say it is often the best training they have attended.   It really adds value to people’s life – both work and personal.” – Kirsty Duck, HR Manager, GE Healthcare.
• “I’ve experienced dozen of trainings… only three matter because actionable: Manager as Coach was one of them. Years after, I still use the process and tactics at work and at home. Thank you Carol!” – Dr M’Bayang Thiam, PMI.
• “I’ll just come right out and say – ‘it was perfect’. The things that really matter to me have all scored highly. It is rare that one course meets needs/expectations in all areas.” – Sue Akroyd (Head of Professional Development, Foundation for Community Dance), Arts Council England Cultural Leadership Programme.
• “What I most valued was being together as a team, confirmation of boundaries and how to deal with the line between coaching and telling. A positive, enjoyable and insightful course. Four years later I am still using coaching almost on a daily basis, but have to admit that it doesn’t feel like coaching now, just a good way to support people.” – Charles Larkin, Director Finance, Planning and Administration – PMI Nordics Cluster.
• “I have entered this journey as a way to test the water and get closer to something I have always felt was close to my purpose. The coaching framework (and me being a coachee and a coach) has allowed me to shed light on quite a few blind spots and I feel now hooked to this experience and journey. Listen actively, keeping the framework and tools close, being detached as the key to being useful, but above all trusting the process and being my authentic self are the principles I take with me as I embark on this exciting path of knowing me and helping others along the way.” – Jose Enrique Gonzatti, Delivery Director Visa Managed Services for Europe.
• “Reflecting on all of these sessions, I can see that using the EXACT model to prioritise goal areas is vitally important, especially when the Coachee comes with such a broad goal, it is a great tool as it helps to structure the session and also allows you to move through the GROW model with all exploration being goal focussed.” – Malini Craig, Witton Park Academy.
• “The course was fantastic.  I plan to incorporate this into my everyday interactions, line management, as well as continue with some private coaching clients. It was so valuable and really highlighted the value of coaching to me.” – Sophie Harle, Director of HR, Tanglin Trust Singapore.
• “The depth of the course was great and gives hope for real behavioural change across our organisation. Speaking personally, despite having attended a number of business coaching courses during my career, there were some significant learnings from the Culture at Work course which have improved my coaching and leadership skills; whether it be quotes that resonated with me that I draw on in my day to day work, improved awareness of listening skills, importance of belief and trust in your coachee or the concept of detachment. This has all contributed to me being a more capable coach – inside and outside work!” – Lucinda Pullinger, HR Director, England Rugby.
• “ The feedback is excellent and our people are truly energised to complete the certification. Thank you.” – Henry Kharoufeh, Director of Organisational learning,  Hilti (Asia) Ltd.
• “I think this course is fantastic – It’s exceeded my expectations.” – Sarah House-Barklie. Head of HR, Facilities and Internal Communications, Nectar Loyalty.
• “An excellent course that has made me self-aware of taking a coaching approach. Receiving coaching has made me clear on new ways forward that will make a big impact.” – Alex Thompson, Club Management and Governance Manager, England Rugby.
• “Really positive – much less pressurised and better than previous coaching course. It’s really been fantastic with the level of practice and feedback we’ve been offered alongside the theory. My confidence has really improved.” – Ellie Haralampous, Client Manager, Nectar Loyalty.
• “I feel non-stop like I have to say thank you very much  for this opportunity. This is an extremely useful and unusual experience and it is really motivating to do everything possible to use it properly with various people and situations around us – totally helpful and self-developing.” –  Tatyana Neshta, VP Finance and IT, Hilti, Russia.
• “Very relevant content and awesome explanation. James makes the training very exciting and motivating” – Pedro Ramos, Snr Planning Executive, Nectar Loyalty.
• “This is the first time I have used GROW in a group setting and it has been incredibly powerful to see the tangible benefits for people. My confidence levels have surged because I now have clarity on my role and feel better equipped to facilitate some fairly tough, emotive discussions.” – Sarah Latham, OD Project Lead, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
•  “You have just done in fifteen minutes what normally takes me four hours” (after a trainer demo of GROW) – Senior Sales Manager NCR

Frequently asked questions about coach training for leaders

What is manager coaching training?

Manager coaching training teaches people who manage teams how to use coaching techniques as part of their leadership role.. It focuses on practical skills such as active listening, powerful questioning, feedback, and goal-setting using the GROW model, which managers can apply immediately with their teams, without leaving their current roles.

How long does it take to train a manager to coach?

This depends on the depth of training. A 90-minute introductory workshop gives managers a foundational understanding they can start using straight away. A half or full-day workshop allows time for hands-on practice with the GROW model. A four-day (or online equivalent) Leader as Coach programme, delivered over weeks or months, embeds coaching into a manager’s everyday leadership style. Our signature five-day course (or online equivalent) transforms managers into true coaching leaders and builds a team of internal coaches.

Do managers need certification to coach their team?

No. Managers do not need formal coach certification to use coaching skills in their day-to-day role. Coaching skills are a leadership tool, not a regulated profession. That said, many organisations choose to have their leaders complete an ILM Recognised programme so the training is credential-backed.

A key benefit of the fully accredited five-day programme is that faced with assessment and a pass/fail at the end of the course, participants make time to complete the full programme of practical assignments in between training sessions. Without the prospect of formal accreditation, these practice sessions tend to get pushed aside due to pressure of work. The practice assignments between training modules are as important a part of the course as the trainer-led hours. They are where participants try out the skills within the safety of practice with a course partner and in their workplaces, honing their skills and making the techniques their own.

What is the difference between coaching and managing?

Managing involves setting direction, allocating tasks, and holding people accountable for results. Coaching involves asking questions that help someone find their own path forward. A coaching manager blends the two: they still set direction and hold people accountable, but they use coaching skills to draw out their team’s thinking rather than defaulting to giving instructions. The GROW model provides a simple structure – Goal, Reality, Options, Will – that managers can use in one-to-ones, team meetings, and everyday conversations.

Can this training be delivered online?

Yes. All our coaching training programmes are available face-to-face, online, or as a blend of the two. Our online coaching training uses live sessions of 2-4 hours with the same instructor-led format as our in-person courses. Feedback confirms the online experience is as effective and energising as face-to-face delivery, and it removes the need for travel time and costs.

How is the coaching training accredited?

Our five-day Performance Coaching for Leadership programme is accredited by ILM (leadership arm of City & Guilds), the Association for Coaching (AC), and carries the CfPAC certificate (Coaching for Performance Accredited Coach), which incorporates the title of Sir John Whitmore’s bestselling book, recognising his contribution to the design of our programmes. Shorter workshops can be delivered without an ILM Recognised accreditation. Full details are in the Certification section above.

Half-day and full-day workshops are unaccredited by default but can be structured to feed into a longer accredited programme if desired.