Moving From Command & Control to Coaching & Collaboration

Leadership Lessons from Richard Birke of JAMS Pathways

The most important leadership initiative in organizations today isn’t technology or strategy—it’s coaching.

Coaching empowers employees. Empowerment drives engagement. And engagement fuels performance.

In Authority Magazine’s interview series, “Moving From Command & Control to Coaching & Collaboration,” Richard Birke, chief architect of JAMS Pathways, shares how leaders and managers can evolve from directive authority figures into effective, trusted coaches.

👉 Read the full Authority Magazine interview here:

Leadership Begins With Openness to Feedback

One of Birke’s most formative leadership moments came early in his academic career, when he received a harsh student evaluation. Instead of dismissing it, a senior mentor encouraged him to “try it on.”

That advice reshaped how Birke approaches leadership to this day—welcoming feedback, encouraging open dialogue, and creating psychological safety. The result? Stronger relationships, deeper trust, and more effective collaboration.

Redefining “The Way” Leaders Lead

Birke challenges the idea that leaders must always know the answer.

Leadership, he explains, isn’t about having a “tried-and-true path” for every problem. It’s about approaching new challenges systematically, guided by organizational mission and values. Leaders who model curiosity and adaptability help their teams develop the confidence to tackle unfamiliar terrain.

Manager vs. Coach: The Difference That Matters

Titles may not change overnight, but leadership behavior can.

• A manager often feels like someone watching for mistakes.

• A coach communicates, “I’m on your side—and we’re in this together.”

The most effective leaders engage deeply in their people’s success, regardless of what their title says on the org chart.

Essential Coaching Skills for Today’s Leaders

Birke highlights three core competencies leaders must master to become better coaches:

• Empathy – Listen deeply. Replace judgment with curiosity.

• Transparency – Reduce uncertainty by communicating clearly—even when information is limited.

• Self-Awareness & Intentionality – Ask open-ended questions with genuine curiosity, not hidden agendas.

Five Coaching Practices That Drive Peak Performance

Rather than ranking a “top five,” Birke shares five coaching practices that consistently deliver results:

1. Understand professional goals

2. Ask how feedback should be delivered

3. Take the time it takes

4. Protect confidentiality

5. Check in often

Coaching Across Generations and Cultures

As workplaces grow more diverse and multi-generational, Birke emphasizes continuous learning, open communication, and the strategic use of professional conflict resolution resources to realign teams around a shared mission.

The Leadership Language That Matters Most

When asked about the most important leadership words today, Birke’s answer is simple:

“Thank you.”

Sincere appreciation reminds people they are seen, valued, and essential to the work.

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