183
How to improve employee performance through coaching
1. Quotable quote
"Coaching is a key step in building an effective team. But it can't be done offhandedly or haphazardly. Schedule periodic coaching sessions. If you don't, you risk letting your firefighting activity crowd the obligation out. You should certainly plan at least one coaching session with each employee during the year, perhaps two. Give them plenty of opportunity to discuss their interests, strengths and ambitions so that you can build on what is already there."
2. Don't forget
Traits required of a coach:
As a coach, are you just a figurehead or are you a dynamic force? To be effective, you’ll need to:
- Acquire a reputation for being cooperative for the good of the organisation.
- Recognise the ability of your colleagues and peers.
- Be available to your people.
- Encourage your people to prepare for advancement.
- Make yourself the first person to whom a troubled employee will want to turn.
- Have respect for the feelings of workers of all ranks.
- Express interest in a person’s views even though you might disagree with them.
- Study your people to better contribute to their growth.
3. Ask yourself
- Has coaching been a serious consideration in our workplace? If not, why not?
- Is there an employee in our team who would benefit from coaching?
- Which skills or tasks would I be best at coaching?
- Which of my colleagues have skills which could be passed on to others through coaching?
- Have I ever been coached in the past? How effective was the process? How could it have been improved? …
