To be successful in coaching
As the coach, coaching is not always easy; nor is it always comfortable to the one you are coaching. To be successful in coaching one must keep the ultimate goal in mind------improvement and continued success to reach as a team organizational goals
Jose,
this is so true & one of the biggest things I harp on--succession management is key & the mark of a good leader.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The great accomplishment in leadership is the capacity to reproduce to create leaders within your team so in a moment of need they will step up and bring their qualities to continue in the pursue of the company goals and the only way to achieve this is with proper coaching and guidance.
Lori ,
yes, the positive attitude of the coach is a must for a successful coaching conversation & relationship.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I feel that coaching is easier with a very positive attitude and a true belief that what you are coaching on is worth the end relult of improvement in the area. If both people are motivated and know that you are invested in their growth and improvement, and not trying to be judgemental, then I feel that coaching is more readily embraced by the person being coached. Telling the person that, " I am committed to helping you be successful," is one way that you can let the person know that you are not trying to be critical, but rather trying to be supportive.
Kathleen,
this is so true & coaching also requires that I have to be willing to let some mistakes & failures happen to help them learn even more.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
While uncomfortable in some cases, lack of coaching makes for an even more uncomfortable situation. Continued ignorance of work performance issues sends the message that everything is OK. Often leadership doesn't want to take the opportunity to coach and develop staff members, only to blast them in performance evaluations down the road. Think of it in terms of the Japanese ideal of Kaizen - small incremental change for the better. This is what coaching is all about.
I agree- coaching can be very uncomfortable, but staying focused on the larger goal does help. Also, we need to keep in mind that coaching is a process. This process doesn't always come quickly or easily. We need to listen for coaching opportunities, and follow out the well planned ideas given in this course.
Martin,
this is a great analysis of the benefit we can see when we practice effective coaching.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I find that if one is coached to perform to the standard of the position they hold, they will satisfy the organizational needs. Doing so will take the primary focus off the organization and its mission (which could be both distracting and not totally understood) and place it on the individual performer/performance which will produce a more complete employee - one who is concerned about doing good work instead of trying to satisfy a goal. In time, one will lead to the other.
What I find challenge is to balance the organizational goals and the interests of the person being coached. Often, it appears, that the "new learner" needs his/her confidence level raised along with meeting those organizational goals. Both are equally important because continuity contributes to the success of the goals. What do you believe?
