COACHING APPROACH TO DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF FUTURE OFFICERS

The purpose of the article is to substantiate a coaching approach that ensures the effectiveness of developing leadership skills of future officers and to provide practical recommendations on the example “peer-to-peer” leadership training in higher military educational institution. The article substantiates that the coaching approach of the leadership skills formation of future officers begins with the establishment and development of relationships between cadets and instructors before providing relevant content that agrees with the stage of leadership development, learning and experience of cadets. The implementation of the coaching approach covers all areas of learning (cognitive, reflective and behavioral) through numerous forms of learning (training, role-playing, simulation games) contributing to carefully organized environment and space conductive to learning. Cadets should see the benefits of the leadership development program contributing to their personal growth. It is established that the purpose of the coaching approach is to create a positive experience for future officers. The result of the coaching approach to training is cognitive growth, development of leadership skills and sustainable behavioral change of future officers. The coaching approach is proven to be based on connection rather than content to build trust and strengthen the social structure between participants. This is done through reflection and building reflective connections that allow sharing and discussing difficult situations. It is summarized that the coaching approach offers a new perspective on leadership development by eliminating the shortcomings of traditional approaches and justifies the emergence of leadership development training programs. The coaching approach puts less emphasis on formal teaching and instead uses discussion, situation solving and emotional storytelling. Future officers develop and apply new knowledge and skills together with instructors and fellow students, developing relationships between them and creating a positive learning environment. The peculiarities of the coaching approach are considered on the example of “peer-to-peer” leadership training. Key words: future officers, cadets, leadership skills, reflection, coaching approach, training, higher military educational institutions.