Better Business Coaching

So, how has your business responded to the downturn?  Has it seen the economic environment as an opportunity to grow or has it downsized to manage its costs and risks?

Regardless of your answer the more progressive businesses will still have retained a solid commitment to the training and development of their people.  It’s a well know fact that leadership development provides immediate and long term increases to productivity and helps to deal with the impacts of a recession sooner rather than later.

Coaching your team is both time and cost effective and will send a powerful message about your commitment to them.  So, how do you know when it is appropriate to coach an employee or colleague?

In these challenging times employees may need some extra support in keeping motivated; however, they will not always want to ask for support.   So how do you know when to introduce coaching?

For business coaching to be effective it requires time for a good conversation in which you will need to support, challenge or give feedback.  Before you jump in too quickly with an unsuspecting employee it is always worth asking yourself: Is coaching what is needed right now and if so how can I become focused quickly?

Look for the signals; differences between how your employee behaves, e.g. unusual levels of excitement or anxiety might suggest a conversation would be helpful.

Ripples in the pond that seem to originate from one employee might indicate their words or deeds are having perhaps unintended consequences. Request or demands made of you.  Telling your employee what you want might be fine but after the 10th occasion, you may need to consider a different tack!

Over time you will pick-up a feel when to coach, and when to pick the moment, if you are still not sure, ask how you can help your employee.  Whilst it sounds obvious to say, if your leadership style encourages your team to pull together and develop their effectiveness your company is in a much stronger position to improve results.

Carole Davidson is an Executive Business Coach & Mentor
‘Inspiring business people to succeed’