School of Education

The Leadership Coaching Lab

Leadership requires continuous growth, learning and the juggling of competing demands and priorities.  If leaders are offered opportunities to reflect and grow with intention, their leadership practice and the performance of the teams they lead improve.

The Leadership Coaching Lab sets a precedent for the Department of Educational Leadership to establish and maintain relationships with their graduates/alumni that will impact the field of leadership and leadership practice and revision leadership preparation to include postgraduate support and development. Executive leadership coaching is a powerful tool for developing effective leaders in K12, higher education, and other organizational settings.

Coaching provides a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps leaders build essential skills, navigate challenges, and drive meaningful organizational change. Unlike mentoring, coaching offers an external partnership that fosters professional growth and enhances leadership effectiveness. School districts and organizations that invest in leadership coaching see a strong return on investment, as well-supported leaders contribute to more prosperous, resilient institutions. 

Providing access to coaching at various career stages, including in the early development stages where students are in training and working collaboratively in schools as residents, ensures that our future education leaders receive the guidance they need to excel, ultimately strengthening individual performance and organizational success.

Created to support graduate-level leadership students and alumni in the Department of Educational Leadership, the VCU School of Education Coaching Lab provides individualized and group coaching support to help our students develop the clarity, confidence, and practical strategies needed to lead effectively and create lasting impact.

Unlock Your Full Leadership Potential with Coaching

Great leaders aren’t born—they’re developed. Our VCU SOE Department of Educational Leadership graduate students benefit from coaching services designed to provide a personalized, results-driven approach to help them strengthen their leadership skills, navigate challenges, and achieve their career goals. 

About Our Coaching Framework

Our Values:

• Personalized Support
• Increased Self-Awareness
• Strengths-Based Foundation
• Focused on Goals, Solutions, and Outcomes
• Improved Leadership Performance and Improved Team Dynamics
• Increased Well-Being and Resilience and Decreased Burnout
• Focused on Empowerment
  

The S.H.I.N.E. Framework for Leadership Coaching

S Set Goals

H Harvest Strengths

I Imagine Options 

N Navigate Multiple Paths

E Empower Action 

S – Set Goals  |  A successful coaching relationship begins with clarity and direction. Leaders are encouraged to set meaningful goals that align with their values, motivations, and vision for success. This stage involves assessing the current environment, identifying key aspirations, and defining measurable outcomes. Coaches guide leaders to leverage their strengths and aspirations to drive purposeful action.

Coaching questions might include:

• What is your overarching goal, and what excites you about it?
• How do your values align with this goal?
• Why is this goal important to you now?
• What will success look like, and how will you measure it?

H – Harvest Strengths  |  Recognizing and leveraging core strengths is essential for leadership development. While growth areas may emerge, the focus is on understanding existing skills and how to apply them effectively. By reflecting on past successes, leaders can identify patterns of strength and use them as building blocks for future achievements.

Coaching questions might include:

• What strengths, skills, or qualities are you most proud of?
• Can you recall a time when these strengths led to success? What did that feel like?
• How have you applied these strengths before, and how can they help you now?
• What emotions are tied to your strengths, and how do they motivate you?
  

I – Imagine Options  |  With goals set and strengths identified, it’s time to explore possibilities. This stage encourages leaders to think creatively and challenge conventional norms to develop innovative strategies. By considering multiple approaches and potential obstacles, leaders expand their vision for success.

Coaching questions might include:

• What ideas do you have for moving forward?
• What strategies have you tried before?
• What’s holding you back, and how can you overcome it?
• What are the potential outcomes of your chosen path?
• What strategies could help you navigate challenges?
  

N – Navigate Multiple Paths  |  Leadership rarely follows a single, linear path. This stage helps leaders develop a flexible and strategic approach to achieving their goals. Coaches support leaders in mapping out potential routes, weighing the impact of each decision, and ensuring alignment with their strengths and priorities.

Coaching questions might include:

• What are the different paths you could take to reach your goal?
• Do you have a plan A and a backup plan?
• How will you use your strengths to keep moving forward?
• What steps will you take first, and how will you stay accountable?

E – Empower Action  |  The final step is about commitment and execution. Leaders take ownership of their journey, set timelines, and establish accountability measures to ensure progress. Coaching helps reinforce confidence, resilience, and sustained momentum.

Coaching questions might include:

• What specific steps will you take next?
• When will you take action?
• Who can support you along the way?
• How would you like me to serve as an accountability partner?
• What insights have you gained through this process?

By following the S.H.I.N.E. framework, leaders can develop a clear vision, leverage their strengths, explore possibilities, and take purposeful action to achieve meaningful success.

About the VCU SOE Department of Educational Leadership

Our nationally recognized experts bring a wealth of experience in leadership development and a proven track record of success.  The VCU School of Education Department of Educational Leadership has graduated more than: 

• 160 current VCU leaders
• 100 leaders in higher education institutions
• 300 K-12 leaders, including more than 15 superintendents/assistant superintendents, more than 100 principals/assistant principals and more than 35 executive directors/directors

Our faculty hold doctoral degrees in leadership and are certified in leadership coaching and assessments:

• Explore our Degree and Certificate Programs
• Meet Our Faculty and Leadership Developers

 

About Us

In the heart of Richmond and extending far beyond, the Department of Educational Leadership is shaping the future of education and leadership across diverse fields. With more than 320 alumni leading K-12 schools and more than 250 driving change in higher education, EDLP’s impact is felt across communities in Virginia and nationwide. Whether transforming classrooms locally or championing innovation at universities nationwide, these graduates — 167 of whom are VCU employees — are committed to making a lasting impact.  In addition to our nationally-ranked academic offerings, the Department of Educational Leadership supports the Leadership Hub, Leadership Coaching Lab, and the Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series.  Meet our faculty and leadership developers.