When the Student Becomes the Coach: The Art of Coaching Up

Written By Cari Borden

Remember that moment when you realized you were the one with the clarity, the vision, and let’s be honest, the emotional maturity in the room?
Welcome to the full-circle moment of modern leadership: when the student becomes the coach.
Only this time… the coach is above you on the org chart.

🧠 What This Moment Really Means

It’s easy to confuse this with rebellion.
But what this really is? A sign that you’ve grown. That you care. And that you’re ready to lead in all directions, especially up.

But let’s be clear: coaching your boss isn’t about one-upping them.
It’s about sharing insight, offering support, and creating momentum, even when you’re not the one steering the ship.

🔄 Shift Your Mindset: From “Student” to “Partner”

If you still see yourself as the junior, you’ll hesitate.
If you embrace your experience and position yourself as a strategic partner?
That’s where impact lives.

Start with this mindset shift:

“I’m not undermining—I’m adding value.”
“This isn’t critique—it’s collaboration.”
“This isn’t overstepping—it’s stepping up.”

🔧 The Art of Coaching Up (Subtly)

Some of the best coaching moments are the ones that don’t look like coaching at all. Try:

Asking thoughtful questions that reframe the issue
Offering observations rooted in curiosity, not criticism
Sharing “what you’re hearing from the ground” to inform their strategy

“I’ve seen a few shifts in how the team is responding, might be worth looking at before it snowballs.”
“There’s something I learned from you early on that I think could really help here…”
“Would it help if I shared some insight from the team’s perspective?”

🚨 What Happens If It Works?

This is the sweet spot. When trust builds. When your voice gets heard.
When you go from doer to trusted voice.
Spoiler: it’s how a lot of future leaders are quietly born.

💡 Want to Know What Kind of Coach You Are?

Before you coach up, know your coaching style.
Take the Leadership Style Quiz, it’s quick, insightful, and freakishly accurate.

📣 Final CTA:

You don’t need a VP title to lead like one.
If you’re ready to start showing up as the kind of leader your boss wishes they were, I’m here to help.
Let’s prep your game plan together. Scripts, strategy, confidence—check.
🔗 Connect with me on Fiverr – Coaching Up Support

Because sometimes, the real leadership isn’t at the top of the ladder. It’s at the bottom, holding it steady.
👏 Like. Share. Lead boldly.