Leadership Development

Introduction to Leadership Coaching

Build the awareness, skills and confidence to lead coaching conversations that make a difference.

One of GCI’s most popular courses, Introduction to Leadership Coaching provides a comprehensive and immediately practical grounding in the three elements of effective coaching in education: the GROWTH conversational framework, the key coaching skills and a coaching way of being.

About

This highly practical course goes beyond technique. It develops the understanding, self-awareness and confidence to apply a coaching approach across a range of leadership conversations, including its application to feedback conversations. Participants leave with skills and strategies they can put to work straight away.

Introduction to Leadership Coaching is available in a range of delivery formats to suit different schedules and contexts, including consecutive or spaced days, online intensives and blended options.

The three elements of effective coaching in education:

The GROWTH conversational framework
The ‘key coaching skills’
A ‘coaching way of being’

What you will gain

Confidence and skill to lead coaching conversations that genuinely support the growth and wellbeing of colleagues
A fresh approach to leadership that builds trust, enables agency and moves from telling to asking
Practical techniques for offering feedback that supports growth and performance
A shared language and toolkit that strengthens team relationships and improves outcomes

Structure

Session 1Defining coaching and introducing the GROWTH Framework
Session 2The GROWTH Framework and goal setting
Session 3Key coaching skills - listening to encourage thinking, asking powerful questions and paraphrasing and summarising.
Session 4The key skill of noticing and a coaching approach to offering feedback
Session 5The Coaching Way of Being, trust and emotional intelligence
Session 6Putting it all together and planning next steps

Learning design

At GCI, we believe that we act our way into learning rather than learn our way into acting.

Research-informed, Practitioner-focused

With this principle in mind, all of our courses have a strong emphasis on practice.

GCI courses are designed by educators for educators with a commitment to interactive and engaging learning experiences delivered by skilled facilitators with extensive experience in education.

A Learning Design to Enable Praxis

When we are engaged in praxis we are reflecting in action, taking what we are learning and applying it in real-life situations. Our in-person and online courses enable praxis through a ‘coaching approach’ to facilitation combined with a range of thoughtfully designed adult learning experiences including:

The option of a spaced learning design consisting of live interactive workshops complemented by self-paced modules on our Learning Management System (LMS) provides the opportunity for participants to apply skills and techniques in their context between sessions.

individual and group reflection activities
co-operative learning tasks
practise opportunities using real workplace scenarios
modelling
observation and feedback
debrief sessions

Flexible Modes of Delivery

The Introduction to Leadership Coaching course is available in a range of delivery patterns:

Two full-days consecutively (in-person only)
Two full-days spaced (in-person or online)
Six 2-hour workshops spread over a number of weeks (online only)
Six 2-hour workshops over three days (online intensive)
Blended option with one full-day in-person and remainder online

From participants on this course

What participants say

would recommend this course

rated the course content Very Good or Excellent

Where participants plan to use their learning

Develop leadership ability and support others87.6%

Improve professional practice and colleagues’ practice76.3%

Improve communication with parents, community and peers48.6%

Based on GCI Introduction to Leadership Coaching post-course surveys, 2024 to 2026. Percentages reflect valid responses to each question; multiple selections were allowed where applicable.

In their words

“The clarity from the facilitators and the input from participants, it was comfortable to freely discuss ideas and opinions.”
Aimee CampbellLeader of Learning, Glenfield Intermediate School, New Zealand
“The program is research/evidence based and uses coaching practice to critique theory. It has a practical application from workshop 1.”
Wayne WheatleyAssistant Principal, De La Salle College, NSW
“Initially, being able to witness the excellent coaching skills of the facilitators and see the framework in action. Then being able to practise new skills with others in breakout rooms.”
Vicky Kirby-BeachAssistant Head of Junior School, Oxley Christian College, VIC
“The group setting, being able to do it in my own time in the holidays without competing demands. The knowledge of the facilitators and the way they ran the session. So warm, open and inviting.”
Melissa StephensAssistant Principal, Mill Park Secondary College, VIC
“Timing, as it was during the holidays i could really engage more and not be distracted by the work due at school.”
Shelley WylieWellbeing Leader, NWN Primary School, VIC
“The supportive environment and having access to the content through the LMS.”
Brenton AdamsPLC Leader, Narre Warren North Primary School, VIC
“This has been the best PD course that I have attended in some time. I was apprehensive about the break out groups but the presenters and team were welcoming, non-judgmental and supportive. Sharon and Chris did a fantastic job by working as a team to engage all participants. They shared their knowledge and showed that the genuinely cared about the progress of the participants. Thank you for an enjoyable three days.”
Zola WatsonHead of Learning Area - English, Carine Senior High School, WA
“The on line option was excellent and allowed flexibility. I enjoyed meeting people in group chats and the facilitators had an authentic caring disposition”
Tommy KoutsonikolisTeacher, Chifley College - Shalvey Campus, NSW
“The facilitators were excellent and paced the learning perfectly. The online time frames were spot on, allowing for timely breaks that meant there was no overload of screen time for me. I valued meeting a variety of people working in many roles within education. I really appreciated the practical parts of the program which allowed me to have a go, with support, at the different elements of the program.”
Shelley KennedyInstructional Leader, Cooerwull Public School, NSW
“Thank you for an informative program delivered in a supportive environment. I have a new energy and am confident the skills I have learnt will be used from day one of the new term.”
Jane NearyHead Teacher, Chifley College - Shalvey Campus, NSW
“Sharon and Chris, Thank you for giving me the opportunity of attending this course via Zoom. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience especially the opportunities to break out and practice the skills being taught.”
Julie CornishInclusion and Diverse Learning Teacher, Sacred Heart Primary School, NSW
“Thank you for sharing your warmth and expertise with us. I have learnt some valuable life skills to ensure my conversations are more productive and meaningful to build the capacity of others.”
Melissa TrolioHead of Learning Area Religious Education, Santa Maria College, WA
“The organisation of the program was excellent as was meeting and working with lovely people from all over the globe.”
Allison PoteMiddle School Leader, Antonine College, VIC
“The program blended content delivery with small group activity, The observations of coaching conversations - both live and recorded were extremely insightful to understand what this looks like in a very concrete way.”
Alison EaseyDeputy Principal, Burgmann Anglican School, ACT
“The warm professionalism of the facilitators (Claudia and Lucy). They established a supportive but challenging environment for us, despite the challenges of learning online.”
Joanna KelmanClassroom Teacher, Collingwood English Language School, VIC
“The high quality of the content, the way that the content was designed, the break in between sessions, the ability to practice a lot, the energy and quality of the presenters”
Zoe SmithSenior Learning and Development Specialist, Gowrie Victoria, VIC
“The manner in which Claudia and Lucy presented themselves. They are very knowledgeable and they explained the process clearly, with respect to attendees and their skill level. They organised the time well and it did not feel time consuming. The time went by very quickly and I believe this is due to the delivery on the content. Claudia and Lucy made the time informative and enjoyable.”
Sandi HutchinsonTeacher & Assistant Principal, Mainsbridge School, NSW
“The balance between the theory and the practical components. The program is very well structured to draw out and explain the key components of the growth coaching model and then have the opportunity to practice the associated skills. I think the program is very well paced, and always ran to the times we were told. The prompt start and accurste finish time was really respectful of our time as professionals undertaking this PD.”
Fiona TrapaniHead of Science and Literacy Instructional Coach, Penola Catholic College, VIC
“Thank you - I learned so much. This course has been life-changing in terms of my professional life. I wish I had done it years ago. It should be mandatory for all emerging leaders.”
Lisa WilsonACT Education Directorate, ACT
“I wish I had completed this training at the beginning of my position as a Learning Area Coach as I believe that I would helped develop staff far more effectively; or rather they would have developed the agency to grow themselves. Many thanks for your energy and engagement Claudia and Lucy.”
Kim WidrichLearning Leader - Humanities, Lavalla Catholic College, VIC
“Thank you! Your knowledge and expertise over the three days, meant that after our coaching triads, all I could think was "Wow!", the conversations were so rich, deep and clarifying. Thank you for helping me to develop my skills.”
Julie GnjecACT Education Directorate, ACT
“this program was brilliant. i usally hate role plays and internally groan when I'm told 'we are going into pairs/groups to role play; but this was really powerful and valuable. thanks”
Rose PelleACT Education Directorate, ACT

Our facilitators

As a coaching organisation, we endeavour to model a ‘coaching way of being’ in our interactions with our clients by being:

Respectful
Humble
Curious
Strengths-focused
Reflective

We encourage a culture of high expectations through our commitment to the ongoing development of our people based on mutual respect and collaboration. Our consultants are expert coach practitioners who draw on a wealth of educational experience to provide the highest level of service as coaches and trainers.

Meet the GCI team

Certification

A GCI Certificate is issued to each individual completing this course.

Fees and what is included

This price is for an individual registering on an open-enrolment course.

Savings are available for organisations who wish to run this course for an in-house group.

Please email info@growthcoaching.com.au to request a quote or discuss this further.

Dates and pricing

Australian prices exclude GST.

Brisbane10 to 11 November 20262 x 1 day workshopIn session
Melbourne16 to 17 November 20262 x 1 day workshopWaitlist
Melbourne23 to 24 February 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister
Brisbane24 to 25 February 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister
Perth18 to 19 March 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister
Adelaide1 to 2 April 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister
Sydney11 to 12 May 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister
Adelaide24 to 25 June 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister
Perth4 to 5 November 20272 x 1 day workshopRegister

Running this course for your own group

Ask about Introduction to Leadership Coaching in-house

Register your interest

If you would like to explore offering this course to your own group, or would like to be notified when new dates are announced, please complete the form below. A member of the GCI team will be in touch.