“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.”Sir John Whitmore, Author of Coaching for Performance
Introduction
Rettie & Co., a leading property company known for its commitment to exceptional customer service and team development, partnered with ThinkEQ to elevate the coaching capabilities of their managers through the Curious Conversations programme. This six-month coaching skills initiative aimed to transform their managers into more confident, impactful leaders capable of fostering a supportive and high-performing team culture.
The Challenge:
Before the programme, many managers at Rettie & Co. expressed a desire to enhance their confidence in leading coaching conversations. They wanted to shift from a directive management style to a more supportive, coaching-led approach. Key challenges included:
- Building the confidence to initiate meaningful conversations.
- Developing deeper listening skills and the ability to ask insightful questions.
- Recognising and seizing ‘coachable moments’ in their daily interactions.
The Solution
The Curious Conversations programme, delivered by ThinkEQ, was designed to address these challenges through:
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Foundational Skills: Building a core understanding of coaching principles, including active listening, powerful questioning, and building rapport.
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Practice and Real-World Application: Practical, scenario-based training focused on real-life conversations, with opportunities to practice skills in a supportive environment.
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Personal Reflection and Growth: Encouraging participants to reflect on their own leadership styles and identify areas for growth.
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Ongoing Support: Providing a space for ongoing feedback, peer discussions, and real-time support to help embed these skills into daily practice.
Our impact
The programme had a significant impact on the confidence and effectiveness of Rettie & Co. managers:
- Confidence in coaching knowledge increased from 72% to 90%.
- Comfort in starting informal development conversations improved, with many managers now describing themselves as “very comfortable” or “confident” in this skill.
- Ability to identify ‘coachable moments’ also saw notable improvement, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards supportive leadership.
- Post-programme feedback highlighted improved listening, reduced ‘advice giving,’ and greater comfort in handling complex conversations.
Participant Feedback
Participants described their biggest learnings as:
- “Pausing and listening more deeply.”
- “Learning to stop the ‘advice monster’ and stay curious.”
- “Gaining confidence in using coaching skills in real situations.”
- “Recognising that coaching is not mentoring – and that silence can be powerful.”
Next Steps:
Rettie & Co. plans to continue embedding this coaching approach by fostering a culture of ongoing learning, including peer coaching sessions and broader awareness initiatives to reinforce these skills across their teams.
Learn More
This programme is highly versatile and suitable to anyone looking to change their workplace culture using measurable and informal coaching methods to do so. If you would like to chat more about how we can help you to do this, contact us at hello@thinkeq.com