Cultivate a Coaching Culture: Cheerlead Your Squad Through Change, Chaos and Challenges; Don't Let Them Derail!

Me, Pink Collar Coach Presenting to 62 housing and homeless service leaders at Housing Ohio 2026.

Sharing a Story

"You’re Curt Cignetti!", the board chair enthused after he had me consult my

husband about the college football coach who led the Indian Hoosiers from being the worst

team to being the first. “That’s what you’ve done here,” the chair explained when I

thanked him for what my hubby described as the highest and most recent compliment I could

receive. “That’s God, my team, and coaching” I responded, giving credit where it's due.

After singing my modified version of "Wrecking Ball" where I bemoaned all 2026's housing and homeless service changes, chaos, and challenges, I opened my Housing Ohio Conference session with the above story. But more than lyrics to my "pressing the paint points" song, change, chaos and challenges have hit so hard that they threatened to derail many social service providers, my multidisciplinary Emergency Homeless Shelter, Housing Program, Resource Center, and in-house counseling services team included. 

Struggles and Successes

"Perfecting the Pivot" became our phrase when the Executive Orders came out, the government shut down, and HUD turned us every way but loose! Thankfully, 

as the Executive Director, I’d maximized my formal education and experience as a Leadership Coach to cultivate a coaching culture at the nonprofit. Doing so had shaped a healthy environment where everyone could grow, flourish and achieve sustained success. All of that held us in good stead when the wrecking ball hit. 

Rather than tearing our team down, because of our healthy coaching culture, we remained cohesive and adapted collectively. We failed together - daringly, and learned so much from taking risks and testing, because all felt safe to do so. We fought brutal battles - won most, lost a few and came out more resilient and stronger due to each experience. We grew and developed exponentially! Most importantly, despite the VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Chaotic, and Ambiguous), none of us derailed because in our coaching culture, we loved each other (yes, I believe in love at work as often we're there more than at home) and encouraged one another to stay the course. Ultimately, change, chaos, and challenges in a cultivated coaching culture caused us to transform into a more winning team.

Scripture 

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24. 

Strategic Spiritual Application 

The change, chaos and challenges that should have broken us during that time made us instead. Likewise, the professional and personal dilemmas the devil throws our way to derail us develop us, too. As God's beloved daughters, He designed us with a destiny. When we embrace our identity in Him, no matter the 'd's, we know they will not break but build us. We can trust the transform formation process and that He's minimizing our barriers and maximizing our best lives - because we've always been Swans. 

Something to Consider

Organizations with strong coaching cultures, and social service providers in particular, will likely have better talent and performance outcomes. Also, a healthy coaching culture ensures high ROI: 

R – Retention, Reduced Recruitment & Training Costs, Revenue Growth

O – Optimized Efficiency & Productivity, Outcomes, Output, Organizational

Health

 I – Increased Employee & Stakeholder Engagement, Impact, Improved KPIs &

Services

Savvy & Chic Steps

What action steps do you need to take to begin cultivating a coaching culture that 

spurs your squad on to sustainable success?