 
Seven Coaching Tips for Managers Use Coaching Skills to Maximize Performance
Care. Successful coaching begins with genuine caring.
Welcome. Have an open door policy whenever possible, in addition to scheduling private meetings for employees' questions, ideas, problems and candid conversations.
Observe. Pay attention to what your employees do well and acknowledge them for those skills and behaviors.
Question. Ask about your employees' work as it relates to them. "What do you like most about your work? What do you need to have or learn in order to do your job better? Where would you like your job to lead?"
Listen. Remain quiet and resist the urge to offer solutions or advice too quickly. Allow your employees to discover their own answers and encourage them to suggest their own solutions before offering yours. When appropriate, allow them to make their own mistakes.
Support. Help your employees achieve their own goals and those of the firm by asking about their progress, acknowledging their accomplishments, providing training, assigning work that appropriately challenges their abilities, holding them accountable to their commitments, and helping them learn from their mistakes.
Celebrate. Everyone benefits from good coaching, including the coach - perhaps especially the coach.
For the complete article, Management by Coaching, as published in Legal Management News, visit our website at www.josmithassociates.com. |
Many of you told me you liked this suggestion in January of 2008, so I'm repeating it for new readers and those who might be ready for a reminder.
Here's a present you can give yourself that will make your life fuller and richer in 2009 and beyond. Find a little quiet time for yourself and make a list of 100 things you want to be, do or have. When I made my list nearly ten years ago, I was a little skeptical as I began, but I became increasingly excited as my mind opened to new possibilities large and small.
In the several years since I completed this exercise I have achieved or acquired 60 of the 100 items on my list, including buying a house, starting and growing my own business, attending a national political convention, having a squirt gun fight (lest you think my list was all serious) and going to Africa. Flying an airplane is still on my list.
But these are my dreams and goals. What are yours?
When you've completed your list, keep it handy and read it often or occasionally, depending on how quickly you want to enrich your life.
1) Select the items on your list that are most important to you and MAKE them happen. 2) Pay attention to the opportunities that will seemingly fall into your lap and SEIZE them.
I am grateful to the late Michael Griffin of San Diego CA, for first assigning me this exercise. It's made my life fuller and richer, both professionally and personally. |
|
Coaching for Success
Are you considering coaching for yourself or others in your firm? Do you want new and better clients? Would your associates benefit from better business development, communications, practice management skills?
|
