COACHING
SUMMARY:
Coaching is an integrated set of actions, aimed at boosting the performance of an individual or team. Coaching includes:
1. A context of trust and understanding
2. Use of ¡¥ask¡¦, not only ¡¥tell¡¦
3. Agreement on the goals
4. Stretching opportunities to perform
5. Ongoing, ad hoc, feedback
6. Periodically, coaching sessions of greater depth
7. A recognition by the line manager of the obligation to coach, and the incentives to do so
Coaching is an integrated set of actions aimed at boosting a colleague¡¦s performance ¡V so that the person being coached (the ¡¥coachee¡¦) reaches his or her full potential, or even re-defines their view of their own potential.
In the business world, coaching is a systematic form of on-the-job training, provided by professional outsiders, by peers, or (preferably) by the coachee¡¦s line manager.
Coaching typically aims to build skills in communications (written and oral), problem-solving, teamwork, selling, or even to enhance personal characteristics such as ¡¥impact¡¦.
1. CONTEXT OF TRUST AND UNDERSTANDING
For coaching to be effective, the coach and coachee must first agree explicitly on how the coaching will be delivered. A brief discussion will normally suffice if the coach is the coachee¡¦s line manager. If the coach is an external professional, a written contract is advisable.
In addition, however, the coach and coachee need to trust and understand each other.
Firstly, and most importantly, the coachee needs to trust that the coach is not continually trying to evaluate him or her. In corporations or teams in which the culture is highly evaluative, junior people typically do not ask their line managers for coaching support ¡V they avoid showing ...