Solving problems is one thing. Empowering someone else to solve them is another.
That’s the lesson Haroon Sahota, associate vice president for Faculty Affairs, took away from Leadership Coaching Essentials, a professional development course that teaches employees coaching techniques they can use at work and at home.
“For me, coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions and helping people do their best work every day,” he said.
In his role, Sahota supports faculty development, from onboarding new hires to mentoring faculty throughout their careers.
“Over the years, I had developed my own approach to advising students and mentoring faculty, but I never had any formal coaching training,” Sahota said. “I wanted to learn the fundamentals so I could be more intentional in how I support others.”
Sahota is one of a growing number of employees taking advantage of coaching opportunities at UNLV.
“Coaching is about helping people think differently, build on their strengths, and move forward with purpose,” said Brenda Thompson-El, director of organizational development. “Our goal is to create a culture where coaching becomes part of how we support and develop one another.”
One-on-One Coaching
Leadership Coaching Essentials launched in 2024 and includes six modules over three months. Since then, about 30 employees have completed the program across three cohorts.
Throughout the course, participants rotate through the roles of coach, coachee, and observer, giving each person the opportunity to practice coaching conversations and receive feedback.
“The participants learn by doing,” Thompson-El said. “They practice conversations they may encounter at work and leave with techniques they can use right away.”
Participants practice skills such as:
- Asking better questions
- Listening with intention
- Empowering others to find their own solutions
For Brett Nafziger, head of Access Services at Lied Library, those lessons changed the way he approaches everyday conversations.
“Leadership Coaching Essentials gave me the opportunity to reflect on how I communicate, listen, and support others,” Nafziger said. “I’m still a work in progress, but the course helped me be more intentional and curious instead of always rushing to an answer.”
Sahota noted that those same techniques continue to shape the way he works with faculty.
“I give people space to think through their response,” he said. “I don’t want to spoon-feed answers. I want them to leave the conversation with a plan they came to on their own.”
Leadership Coaching Essentials is one way employees can build coaching skills. For those looking for more personalized support, Leadership Coaching Academy offers one-on-one coaching.
The academy grew out of a pilot program launched in 2018 that paired employees with professional coaches. These external coaches guided participants through workplace priorities and offered problem-solving approaches to help them do their best work.
“An external coach gives employees a chance to step back, think through challenges, and look at situations from a different perspective,” Thompson-El said. “Sometimes the right questions are more valuable than the right answers.”
After receiving a strong response, UNLV expanded the program in 2020 to all employees.
For Sarah Quigley, director of University Libraries Special Collections and Archives, coaching has become an important part of her career journey.
“External coaching gives me a regular opportunity to work through tough issues with someone who is supportive and encouraging, but also holds me accountable and pushes me to find answers for myself,” Quigley said. “I am a stronger and more confident leader because of my coaching relationship.”
Not every coach is the right fit for every person. If you’re considering one-on-one coaching, these questions can help you find someone who matches your goals and coaching style. Employees may want to ask:
- How would you describe your coaching approach?
- What types of leaders or challenges do you most enjoy coaching?
- What can I expect during a typical coaching session?
- How will we know whether coaching is making a difference?
Whether you’re looking for personalized support or learning alongside a cohort, Leadership Coaching Essentials and Leadership Coaching Academy offer employees a chance to grow, reflect, and continue building skills they can use every day.
