Why Every Strategic Leader Needs a Coaching Framework

If you’re leading from the middle — not quite the C-suite, but with real responsibility for people and projects — you know that leadership is a balancing act. You’re managing expectations from above, executing strategy, and still trying to support the real people who make the work happen. That’s where coaching comes in.

Coaching isn’t something extra for strategic leaders — it’s how the best ones get results *and* grow talent. But coaching can feel vague unless you have a structure. That’s why we created the FRIES Coaching Model in the MACRO Leadership framework.

In the podcast episode, I shared a personal story about being stretched into a new leadership role at Rio Salado College. What made the difference? I had a great coach — someone who didn't give me all the answers, but asked great questions, supported me, and helped me build my confidence and skills. That’s the power of a good coaching framework.

FRIES is a simple tool to guide effective, strengths-based performance conversations. Whether you’re checking in with a project lead or supporting a team member who’s facing new challenges, FRIES helps you focus the conversation on what matters.

Here’s what it looks like:

• F – Focus: What’s the most important thing we should talk about today?
• R – Rate: How are things going, on a scale of 1–10?
• I – Identify: What’s working well? What’s a win this week?
• E – Explore: What’s next? What’s in the way?
• S – Support: How can I help? What do you need from me?

This structure works because it keeps the conversation focused, strengths-based, and future-oriented. It’s short enough to use in a hallway conversation but deep enough to create momentum.

💬 Try This

- Schedule a 15-minute coaching conversation with someone you’ve assigned a project to.
- Use the FRIES model to guide your questions.
- Follow up in writing with 2–3 takeaways or commitments from the conversation.
- Reflect: What changed after the coaching session?