Coaching as a Leadership Advantage

There has been a fundamental shift across the hospitality industry over the past few years.

Teams are changing, customer expectations are rising, competition is tightening, and the venues seeing the strongest results all have one thing in common:

Their leaders coach — consistently, calmly, and in real time.

Coaching isn’t new. But it has become one of the most powerful leadership advantages a venue can have.

Because it’s the difference between teams who plateau and teams who continually improve. Between leaders who manage and leaders who inspire capability. Between service that’s “fine” and service that feels confident, warm and unforgettable.

Training tells someone what to do. Coaching helps them understand how to apply it — in the moment, under pressure, and consistently.

Here’s why coaching has become a leadership essential in 2026:

1. The pace of service demands real-time support

Hospitality doesn’t slow down. Teams don’t have time for lengthy workshops mid-shift. They need fast, clear guidance that helps them improve immediately.

Micro-coaching gives them that.

2. Coaching builds capability, not dependency

When leaders spend all their time giving instructions, teams become reliant. When leaders coach, teams learn to think, act and lead independently.

The result is a stronger performance, more confidence, and better communication.

3. Consistency improves through coaching — not managing

Managing keeps the venue operating, but coaching lifts the standard of how the venue operates.

Consistency doesn’t come from procedures alone. It comes from the daily leadership behaviours that reinforce expectations.

4. Coaching strengthens team engagement

People want feedback. They want direction. They want to know how to succeed.

A leader who coaches regularly builds trust, psychological safety and stronger long-term engagement.

5. Coaching protects culture

Teams take their emotional cues from leadership.

A leader who coaches calmly, clearly and respectfully sets the tone for:
• communication
• behaviour
• teamwork
• accountability
• guest experience

Culture is behaviour — and coaching shapes behaviour.

The Micro-Coaching Advantage

One of the biggest misconceptions in leadership is that coaching requires long, formal sessions.

It doesn’t.

Some of the most effective coaching moments take under 30 seconds.

A simple structure leaders can use:

1. Name the moment — “Hey, I noticed…”
2. Give clarity — “Here’s what good looks like…”
3. Set the expectation — “Next time, let's try…”

Small shifts. Massive impact.

Over time, micro-coaching creates:

• Better decision-making
• Faster learning
• Stronger communication
• Increased confidence
• Better service consistency
• A more capable team

Teams want more than direction - they want development. And venues want more than “people who turn up” - they want teams who perform with pride and capability.

Coaching delivers both.

How to Strengthen Your Coaching in 2026

Here’s where to start:

1. Make coaching a daily behaviour, not a meeting

Look for coaching moments in real time — during service, during prep, during post-shift reflection.

2. Focus on specific behaviours

The more specific the feedback, the faster the improvement.

3. Coach the calm, not just the chaos

Coaching during smooth shifts strengthens performance during busy ones.

4. Lead with clarity and kindness

Coaching should support, not overwhelm.

5. Celebrate progress

What leaders recognise becomes what teams repeat.

Coaching Is the Leadership Skill That Will Define 2026

Great leaders don’t just manage tasks, they develop people. And the venues that invest in coaching now will see the payoff all year.

If you’d like support building coaching capability across your leadership team, or want a simple micro-coaching structure tailored to your venue, I’d love to help. Connect with me via socials or visit www.michellepascoe.com.

Great leaders coach — and coached teams thrive.