62: Stop Managing Tasks, Start Developing Talent | Tara Hesson

In this episode of The Learnit Lounge, Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins interviews Tara Hesson, a seasoned leadership coach, about the critical shift from traditional supervision to a coaching-centered approach in leadership. Discover how embracing coaching can unlock team potential, enhance organizational culture, and impact bottom-line results.

What You’ll Learn:

• The distinctions between supervision and coaching in leadership
• The importance of viewing employees as whole persons
• Barriers organizations face in adopting coaching practices
• The measurable benefits of coaching on performance and retention
• Cultivating a coaching culture for lasting change
• Practical tips for developing coaching skills at all organizational levels
• The concept of "whole person" leadership and its impact on engagement
• How coaching techniques can be integrated into everyday management
• The role of organizational systems and leadership behavior in fostering a coaching environment
• Metrics and evidence supporting coaching investments
• Actionable strategies for building coaching competencies across teams

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview: shifting from supervision to coaching
• 00:30 - Introduction to Tara Hesson, her background, and expertise
• 01:27 - Definitions: supervision vs. coaching in leadership contexts
• 03:17 - Stories illustrating the differences in managing and developing talent
• 04:43 - The importance of focusing on the "whole person" in coaching
• 05:57 - Moving beyond KPIs to understanding employee motivations and potential
• 07:26 - The moment Tara realized the importance of talent development
• 08:18 - Early experiences in call centers shaping leadership approach
• 09:42 - How coaching techniques improve engagement and performance
• 11:00 - The power of applying learned models and tools in real-world settings
• 12:14 - Organizational barriers to adopting coaching practices
• 14:11 - The influence of systemic and cultural factors on management styles
• 15:04 - The impact of reward systems and performance management on coaching adoption
• 16:33 - The challenge of passing down traditional management behaviors
• 17:38 - The need for top-down support to enable a coaching culture
• 18:48 - Extending coaching beyond frontline managers to executive levels
• 20:16 - The tangible bottom-line benefits of investing in coaching
• 21:13 - Metrics that demonstrate coaching effectiveness, including retention and innovation
• 22:19 - The role of coaching in fostering creativity, problem-solving, and agility
• 23:16 - The importance of continuous leadership development and revisiting fundamentals
• 24:25 - Leadership lessons Tara has learned and their influence on her work
• 25:47 - The myth that leadership development is only for new managers
• 26:56 - Final thoughts: the ongoing journey of leadership growth and development
• 28:12 - How to connect with Tara Hesson and explore coaching opportunities

Tara Hesson is a leadership coach, facilitator, and HR consultant with over three decades of experience developing talent across industries. She founded Hesson Talent Solutions, LLC, helping individuals, teams, and organizations build strategies that foster growth and unlock potential. An ICF-credentialed coach (ACC, 2014) with a master's in Organizational Behavior and Executive Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas, Tara holds additional certifications in D.I.S.C., SDI, and the Korn Ferry Leadership Potential Assessment. Known for a coaching style rooted in compassion and collaboration, she helps clients feel genuinely understood, supported, and equipped to grow.

Resources & Links:

• Tara Hesson - LinkedIn
• Hesson Talent Solutions
• International Coaching Federation (ICF)

Want to Learn More?:

• Website: www.learnit.com
• Email: podcast@learnit.com‍
• Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.