Supervisor as Coach: Developing Skills to Bring Out the Best in Your Direct Reports

Last updated January 8, 2026

Module 1: What Does “Supervisor as Coach” Mean?

Introduction

“Supervisor as Coach,” Defined

Module 2: Coaching Strategies

What Coaching Is (and What It Is Not)

4 Topics

Holding the Agenda

Active Listening

Psychological Safety and Staying Judgment-Free

Engagement

Strategies for Being a Coaching Supervisor

Module 3: Coaching Conversations

Conducting Difficult Coaching Conversations in the Margins

Being Coached to Be a Better Coach

Build the confidence, tools, and perspective to lead teams that advance your institution’s mission.

Overview

This course exposes leaders to Academic Impressions’ coaching model and demonstrates how a coaching approach can transform supervision. Participants will learn and practice five essential coaching elements—active listening, curiosity, inclusivity, safety, and shared ownership—while applying them to real-life supervisory challenges such as feedback, conflict, and performance conversations. The course equips supervisors to model a growth mindset and to support the autonomy and development of their teams.

Who Will Benefit

This program is designed for supervisors at any level and in any role in higher education who have participated in some supervisory training previously, either through Academic Impressions, your own institution, or another organization.

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Table of Contents

Overview

Who Will Benefit

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