Most leadership problems don’t need a faster answer. They need a better conversation. We sit down with Cindy Flesher, Kerensa Wing, and Wanda Law from GAEL to get practical about leadership coaching and why it’s becoming a must-have skill for principals, assistant principals, district leaders, and anyone supporting others in schools. If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “I gave great advice and nothing changed,” this one is for you.

We unpack the real difference between mentoring and coaching. Mentoring often centers on sharing experience, while coaching relies on active listening and open-ended questions that help the other person clarify goals, explore options, and choose next steps they actually own. We talk about why coaching can work even when you’re not “job-alike,” and how curiosity can be more powerful than expertise when the goal is growth.

You’ll also get clear details on the GAEL leadership coaching micro-credential, including the virtual option on June 1 (Teams, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and the in-person option on June 16 in Athens (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). We explain the full pathway, from the training day to three follow-up virtual check-ins in August, September, and October, when you earn the badge. We also share what ongoing monthly coaching connections will look like so your coaching skills keep getting sharper long after the training ends.

If you’re building a leadership pipeline or trying to “grow your own” leaders, trained internal coaches can be a game changer. Subscribe for more practical leadership learning, share this with a colleague who coaches others, and leave a review with your biggest coaching challenge so we can tackle it next.