The BookMachine Podcast: Coaching and Developing People with Rebecca Smart

Coaching and Developing People: Publishing’s Untapped Super Power with Rebecca Smart, Leadership & Talent Coach at Penguin Random House

Building a career in publishing – whether in a large or small company – requires a great amount of self awareness. Key to this is understanding how you have to be, and what you have to do, to be successful.

Rebecca Smart is a global leadership and talent coach at Penguin Random House, as well as Chair of independent commercial fiction publisher Canelo. We spoke to Rebecca on The BookMachine Podcast to explore the art of coaching, and how leaders can tap into the power of coaching to develop high-performing teams across the book business. Here are some key takeaways from our chat.

Coaching vs Training

As the first internal coach at Penguin Random House, Rebecca has honed her knowledge of effectively applying coaching to the workplace. Communicating the distinction between coaching and training is key to this. Coaching assumes that individuals already have the answers within them, focusing on helping them overcome challenges and become their best selves. Training, on the other hand, is about teaching specific skills. Unlocking the real value of  coaching involves asking powerful, open-ended questions and employing various techniques such as the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will), visualisation, and perspective-shifting to help individuals gain clarity and develop actionable plans.

Developing habits for career success

For those on the receiving end of coaching, Rebecca outlines the importance of understanding yourself and establishing habits to support your professional growth. Identifying your core strengths, as well as considering the desired impacts to your career development, and setting specific, measurable goals aligned with this vision, is a critical starting point. Likewise, developing habits – such as incorporating nature walks or meditation into daily routines to maintain mental well-being and foster personal growth – can then be applied to develop job-specific behaviours and mindsets, like fostering a sense of curiosity at work and around your role.

Enhancing working relationships

When it comes to improving working relationships, Rebecca suggests that the focus should be on self-awareness, empathy, and clear communication. Understanding your own triggers and reactions, as well as considering the perspectives of others, can help in managing interactions more effectively. Articulating shared goals and expectations to ensure alignment and build a culture where feedback is regularly exchanged and valued is particularly important.

The evolution of coaching in publishing

Rebecca has seen a significant increase in the use of coaching within the publishing industry, especially at Penguin Random House. Coaching is now integrated into management training programs, reflecting its importance in developing leaders who are self-aware and capable of fostering a supportive and productive work environment.

In the wider industry, different learning opportunities and approaches to coaching can be seen across large and small companies. In larger companies, employees often specialise in specific areas and have access to a network of experts, whereas roles in smaller companies tend to be broader, allowing individuals to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the audience and the entire publishing process – something to keep in mind!

Trends in Team Development for the New Generation

For younger generations entering and progressing in the workforce, we’re seeing a heightened self-awareness and fluency in discussing personal development. Rebecca believes that creating a transparent and supportive work environment that aligns with their values and expectations is crucial to developing effective coaching in publishing that meets the needs of colleagues in the future. She also adds that growing importance is placed on mission-driven work, especially for newer generations in the industry, suggesting that tapping into shared values and drivers are key for colleagues to find fulfilment in their roles. Similarly, they are more likely to seek out and build meaningful side-hustles that feed into these values.

Whether you’re leading teams in publishing or looking to develop your approach to professional development, Rebecca’s guidance offers valuable insights into the nuances of coaching and how, by fostering healthy working relationships, developing self-awareness and tapping into the industry’s wider mission, we can set ourselves up for success. For more tips, tricks and excellent discussion with Rebecca, be sure to listen to the full episode, or find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & more.

Show Notes

Useful links

Books Rebecca mentions during the episode:

• Coaching for Performance: The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership 
• Co-Active Coaching: The proven framework for transformative conversations at work and in life
• Flow: The Psychology of Happiness

Other resources: International Coaching Federation

About Rebecca Smart

Rebecca Smart (she/her) is a global Leadership and Talent Coach at Penguin Random House – the first internal coach in the industry. With over 30 years of experience in the publishing industry, Rebecca’s journey from various roles in communications, editorial, design, production, and digital to her current position, offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of leading publishing teams. 

About The BookMachine Podcast

The BookMachine Podcast: Conversations in Publishing shines a light on the unsung heroes of the publishing industry, sharing the career journeys of inspiring people across all departments – from production and marketing, to design, AI, Bookfluencers and more.