The Golden Circle and Coaching

Should there be more of a coaching culture in schools. Simon Sinek advises us to start with the why. Should there be more coaching as it helps pupils unlock their full potential?

Simon Sinek, in his TED talk, ‘How great leaders inspire action’ talks about the how, what and why some businesses can differentiate themselves and be more successful. He believes it is because they start with the why and argues that businesses that know why they exist and what their ‘why’ is i.e. their purpose, cause or belief, are more compelling and successful than those who start with their what – their product or service. Sinek describes this what, how and why model as the ‘golden circle’ with concentric circles with why at their heart. Sinek believes that businesses with leaders that inspire others are those that start with why. These businesses and leaders have a clear vision.  

The golden circle can be applied to the need for coaching in education. We can start with the ‘why’. Education is not just about transferring knowledge; it is about helping pupils reach their full potential. Traditional education often focused on rote learning, but pupils need guidance, motivation, and personal development to thrive in an evolving world. Coaching fosters self-awareness, confidence, and problem-solving skills, equipping students for lifelong success. 

Coaching in education could be described as the ‘how’ element as it works by providing personalised support tailored to each pupil, encouraging growth mindset and resilience, helping students embrace learning rather than focussing solely on outcomes, fostering critical thinking and emotional intelligence through open-ended questioning, and creating a safe, supportive environment where students feel heard, understood, and motivated. 

By integrating coaching, we create the ‘what’ element and have pupils who are more engaged, confident and seeking academic and personal growth and an education system that prepares pupils not just for exams, but for real-world challenges and nurtures leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. 

Education should empower students to unlock their full potential, not just memorise information. Coaching can transform education from just teaching subjects to developing individuals.