Coaching for Naval Officers Course
This course is designed to strengthen leadership and team management in the naval and maritime environment. It offers proven coaching tools and techniques to improve communication, build motivation and develop the full potential of every member of the crew. Through a practical approach, you will learn to set clear objectives, hold high-impact conversations, run briefings and debriefings, resolve conflicts, lead in crises and integrate coaching into the daily life of your unit.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Coaching for Naval Officers Course?
This short course applies executive coaching to the realities of command at sea. You will study the role, authority and ethics of command, leadership styles from directive to mission-oriented, organizational culture and discipline, the psychology of leadership under pressure, the foundations and limits of coaching, models such as GROW, systemic and strengths-based coaching, conversational skills, feedback and feedforward, command communication, briefings and debriefings, conflict management and difficult conversations, operational stress, crisis leadership and the design of an internal coaching program.
What sets this course apart: coaching adapted to hierarchical structures and the chain of command, compatible with discipline, appraisal and operational directives; a solid foundation in the ethics of command and the duty of care; practical tools such as GROW, powerful questions and non-punitive debriefings; a module on crisis leadership, fatigue and warning signs in the crew; and a final project in which you diagnose a unit and design a coaching intervention with indicators and change management.
Program highlights
- Command identity: authority, responsibility, ethics and leadership styles.
- Executive coaching: GROW, systemic and strengths-based models.
- High-impact conversations: active listening, powerful questions and feedforward.
- Command communication: briefings, debriefings and conflict management.
- Crisis leadership: operational stress, self-regulation and warning signs in the crew.
- Final project: a coaching intervention for a naval unit.
Syllabus of the Coaching for Naval Officers Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Command identity, naval leadership and the ethical framework of operational authority
- 1.1. The role of the naval officer in complex environments: authority, responsibility, judgment and consistent conduct
- 1.2. Leadership styles applied to naval units: directive, participative, situational and mission-oriented
- 1.3. Ethics of command and decision-making: integrity, impartiality, proportionality and duty of care
- 1.4. Organizational culture and discipline: explicit rules, implicit rules and unit climate
- 1.5. Psychology of leadership under pressure: cognitive biases, self-control and the officer's resilience
Executive coaching for officers: models, competencies and high-impact conversations
- 2.1. Foundations of applied coaching: objectives, limits, confidentiality and the coaching agreement
- 2.2. Intervention models: GROW, systemic coaching, strengths-based approach and performance coaching
- 2.3. Conversational skills: active listening, powerful questions, rephrasing and strategic silence
- 2.4. Feedback and feedforward: behavioral correction, reinforcement, agreements and follow-up
- 2.5. Coaching within the chain of command: compatibility with discipline, appraisal and operational directives
Command communication, briefings, debriefings and conflict management in crews
- 3.1. Clear, standardized communication: critical messages, priorities, confirmation and reducing ambiguity
- 3.2. Effective operational briefings: commander's intent, risks, roles, limits and success criteria
- 3.3. Debriefing and learning: facts, decisions, alternatives, lessons learned and a non-punitive culture
- 3.4. Conflict management: mediation, negotiation, progressive discipline and preventing escalation
- 3.5. Difficult conversations: performance, conduct, safety, wellbeing and unpopular decisions
Crisis leadership, stress management and human performance in prolonged operations
- 4.1. Physiology and psychology of operational stress: fatigue, cognitive load and degraded decision-making
- 4.2. Self-regulation techniques for officers: breathing, attentional focus, routines and emotional control
- 4.3. Managing team performance: shifts, rest, prioritization, delegation and error control
- 4.4. Warning signs in the crew: burnout, latent conflict, risk behavior and impaired judgment
- 4.5. Leadership in critical incidents: communication, tactical calm, coordination and operational continuity
Integrating coaching into the unit and final intervention project for naval officers
- 5.1. Unit diagnosis: climate, psychosocial risks, operational friction and areas for improvement
- 5.2. Designing an internal coaching program: objectives, scope, roles, calendar and metrics
- 5.3. Command conversation protocols: one-to-one sessions, team meetings, operational feedback and follow-up
- 5.4. Indicators and measurement: cohesion, performance, incidents, turnover, compliance and quality of execution
- 5.5. Managing cultural change: resistance, alignment with values, communication and behavioral reinforcement
Duration and format of the Coaching for Naval Officers Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Coaching for Naval Officers Course
Career opportunities after the Coaching for Naval Officers Course
Questions about the Coaching for Naval Officers Course
To develop officers' leadership, management and decision-making skills so they can perform well in complex, high-pressure environments and help their crews grow.
Effective communication, decision-making, stress management, emotional intelligence, delegation, mentoring, strategic thinking and adaptability.
Yes. A specific topic explains how to integrate coaching with discipline, appraisal and operational directives without undermining authority.
No. It is equally useful for merchant navy masters and officers, heads of department and trainers working with crews.
You diagnose a unit or team and design an internal coaching program with objectives, conversation protocols, indicators and a change management plan.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded, practical exercises based on real naval situations and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at navy officers, merchant navy masters and middle managers, heads of department, future officers preparing for command, maritime professionals interested in naval leadership, and consultants and trainers working on leadership in high-pressure environments; experience in command or team management and in decision-making under pressure is recommended, and prior training in leadership or group dynamics is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.