I think this is a good distinguishing between coaching & management. To me coaching is more of the "leadership" of people vs the managing of tasks & things. I think you captured this in your response. Great job.
Ryan
Coaching allows you to 'fine tune' an employee who is hitting the 'management marks’. I see managing employees as making sure the day to day tasks are getting done. The basic nuts and bolts of the job so to speak. Coaching allows for a closer look at how those daily tasks could be done better or more efficiently. It also allows the employee to see the business through the eyes of the manager. Discussing things like the vision of the company and goals that can be achieved with that vision in mind.
Well said. I feel that management is about systems & processes or "things." Coaching to me is the leadership aspect in that through effective coaching I can more effectively lead people.
Ryan
Managing encompasses more than people. One manages a project, or process, or department and people are only part of that function.
Coaching is the interaction and exchange of information between team members and managers.
Managing guides and steers projects, processes and departments. Coaching guides and develops people.
Richard,
Great observation regarding the difference between managing and coaching. And you are not alone, many do not see the difference between managing and coaching, which I believe is unfortunate. To me, coaching is the true work of leadership as you observed in your post that this requires the leader to take the time to understand the other & gain their trust. Great observations.
Ryan
Before I started this lesson I did not believe there was much difference in them. Now I understand to be able to coach someone you must understand where they are coming from and able to gain their trust. To coach someone you need to know they are willing to be coached and accept your help. By coaching I am able to help others reach their goals. I believe managing is the process in which to reach an expected or desired outcome.
Melissa,
Good points. Managing is more about the day to day activities of getting the work done. Coaching is more of what I consider the "leading" aspects. Helping employees achieve more & push themselves to higher levels.
Ryan
From what I know and have learned from this course, a manager delegates responsiblities and follows up that employees are doing what is required for the job.
When coaching an employee the is a focus on sharing knowledge and experience to maximize the employee's potential and help him or her achieve agreed-upon goals. Coaching is going to help productivity and sometimes can focus on performance problems.
Frank,
I think you're right on track. I would also add that coaching an employee can also deal with helping them with their long-term development & career goals.
Coaching is really about having a conversation with the employee & listening to them on a deeper level. Through these conversations you have the opportunity to help them truly discover their areas of strength & how to move toward their goals.
Ryan
From my thoughts, managing is holding an employee accountable and guiding them. Coaching is helping an employee through immediate performance issues to gain a better understanding through feedback and development.
Great thoughts Sean. There are so many definitions out there about coaching that it can be confusing at times. In addition to your description, a leader as coach can also help the employee with their overall career development. By asking powerful questions, the leader/coach can help the coachee discover what it is they really want & then chart a course to get there. Great job.
Ryan
In my opinion A coach is someone who observes the coachee in action and assists in guiding the person to reaching new levels of performance. The coachee needs to be open and interested in reaching new levels for this to work-- Managing an employee is really delegate and following up.
Coaching can definitely be about correcting behavior, the difficulty is discerning which definition of coaching you are working with. There are many definitions out there today. In addition to correcting behavior, coaching can also be about helping the other person to develop themselves by discovering their areas of strength & potential.
What about management? What are your thoughts on that area of skills? How would you define a manager?
Ryan
I think coaching is more about correcting behavior or a lack of skill than anything else.
April,
I could not agree with you more! I think you've nailed it right on the head with the difference between the two ideas & also with your comment regarding a good supervisor being aware of wearing two hats.
I was talking with a leader who is also a certified coach the other day & he pointed out that sometimes a coach-leader can seem somewhat directive but that is because he/she is being a cheerleader for the employee. Often when the employee is not being their own cheerleader. Just something interesting.
Ryan
A manager gives direction, sets expectations & holds an employee accountable for their actions where as coaching allows a leader to help an employee grow in their job - professionally and personally. I believe that a good supervisor knows that they wear a dual hat and knows when to wear which hat.
I think you could say that both coaching & managing have the potential to bring out the best in individuals, it's just a different best. As you said, managing may help bring out the best in production, where as coaching may help in inspiring that person to push themselves further.
Ryan
Absolutely. A coach can also help by asking thought-provoking questions to move the employee further along in their thinking.
Ryan
Great summation. I also think that a coach is more interested in the other person's development, whereas a manager ultimately is accountable for getting results.
Ryan
I believe coaching is effective in bringing out the best in an individual. Managing brings out accountability and production.
