How Coaching Can Enhance Your Corporate Development Programs for Women

During my nearly two decades in tech, I’ve frequently considered what genuinely empowers and advances women in their lives. After working with 15 senior female engineering ICs as part of Adobe’s Ada Lovelace program, I became even more firmly convinced of the importance of coaching. Such leadership development programs must include coaching – it turns abstract knowledge into concrete, actionable ideas.

Adobe’s Ada Lovelace program was a pledge to help drive change, promote growth, and enable women to ascend to senior IC engineering roles. Through my own experiences in the tech industry, and from the insights shared by my coaching clients, I have seen first-hand the challenges women in tech face, from the loneliness of being the only woman in the room to the constant battle with impostor syndrome.

Coaching can be a game-changer for women in tech, not just by keeping them from potentially leaving the industry (which over 50% of women do by the age of 35), but by allowing them to truly thrive while being their authentic selves.?

Seeing is Believing: Coaching offers a powerful reflection of what’s possible. For many women engineers, seeing someone who mirrors their aspirations—someone who has navigated the same tricky pathways and succeeded—can light up the whole journey ahead. During the Ada Lovelace program, I shared stories of both past successes and overcome failures, making the path ahead seem more navigable and less daunting. My journey from being a software engineer to a VP of Engineering is an inspiring roadmap for others, letting them know women can ascend the leadership ranks in tech.

A Space to Speak and Be Heard: One of the most profound aspects of coaching is its ability to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Here, women can express doubts, explore options, and seek guidance without fear of undermining their professional image. This open dialogue is so crucial in a field where women often feel pressured to continuously prove their worth. By encouraging vulnerability, I enabled each woman to embrace her unique challenges and strengths, leading to personal growth, resilience, and self-assurance.

Bridging Learning and Doing: While workshops teach valuable skills, coaching personalizes these lessons to fit each person’s unique circumstances. Understanding a concept in a workshop is one thing; applying it effectively under real-world pressures is another. Our coaching sessions bridge this gap by turning theoretical knowledge into actionable strategies. For instance, after learning conflict resolution techniques, I coached a participant to navigate a challenging team dynamic, enhancing her leadership skills and team cohesion.

Empowerment through Empathy: My approach to coaching is deeply rooted in empathy, practicality, and kindness—essential tools for navigating a tech environment that often underestimates them. We leverage these tools to help women uncover and use their unique voices and strengths. For example, through empathetic listening and targeted questions, we help participants identify and articulate their core competencies, boosting their confidence and visibility in the workplace.

Reflecting on the impact of the Ada Lovelace program, the stories I’ve heard from participants are a powerful affirmation of the value of coaching. These women not only enhanced their skills; they gained confidence and perspective. One engineer told me that our discussions not only rekindled her passion for her role but also clarified her professional path. Another valued these sessions as the most transformative aspect of the program, leading to significant personal and professional breakthroughs. Yet another, who had never before experienced such tailored support, found immense value in having a role model who reflected her career aspirations. These powerful testimonials reinforce why I am so dedicated to this work—coaching can change lives and has a ripple effect.

Integrating coaching into development programs for women in tech allows these initiatives to transition from skill enhancement sessions into profound journeys that redefine how participants see themselves and their career possibilities. Adobe’s initiative serves as a stellar example, and it is merely the beginning. As we strive to create more inclusive and empowering environments in tech, we must champion coaching as a foundational element of these efforts. Coaching goes beyond creating better engineers or leaders—it nurtures critical thinkers, innovators, and trailblazers who deeply believe in their potential.

Let us continue to champion these changes, expanding our reach and deepening our impact. I encourage other tech leaders and organizations to consider how such coaching could be integrated into their own development programs. Together, we can pave the way forward, empowering each woman in tech, one transformative journey at a time.

Originally posted: https://jossiehaines.com/2024/05/23/how-coaching-can-enhance-corporate-development-programs-for-women/

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