Managers can significantly increase their effectiveness by incorporating coaching in their leadership. Managers who use a coaching style connect the desires of individuals with the needs of the organization, significantly increasing individual engagement and organizational success. Following is a simple set of coaching tips:
Care. Successful coaching begins with genuine caring.
Welcome. Have an “open door” policy – literally or virtually – whenever possible, in addition to scheduling private meetings for employees’ questions, ideas, problems and candid conversations.
Observe. Pay attention to what your employees do well and acknowledge them for those skills and behaviors. Be specific.
Question. Ask about their work as it relates to them. What do you like most about your work? What do you need to have or learn in order to do your job better? Where would you like your job to lead?
Listen. Remain quiet and resist the urge to offer solutions or advice too quickly. Allow them to discover their own answers and encourage them to suggest their own solutions before offering yours. When appropriate, allow them to make their own mistakes.
Support. Help your employees achieve their own goals and those of the firm by asking about their progress, acknowledging their accomplishments, providing training, assigning work that appropriately challenges their abilities, holding them accountable to their commitments and helping them learn from their mistakes.
Celebrate. Everyone benefits from good coaching, including the coach – perhaps especially the coach.
These coaching tips, when applied, can help you increase productivity, satisfaction, retention and profitability.