employee recognition | Top 5 Coaching Skills For Effective Managers

Top 5 Coaching Skills For Effective Managers

Creative Commons License photo credit: alancleaver_2000Coaching Session

There are numerous challenges in the business world today.  A manager’s resolve is tested daily as he must control these various challenges.  One particular challenge is developing his coaching skills.

Effective managers work at developing their coaching skills so that they can raise the performance level of their entire staff.    This type of on-going informal training leverages employee strengths while identifying potential opportunities for improvement.

There’s no “Magic Bullet” solution that works well for every manager and each manager is different and must find her or his own most convenient style.

How, then, could you make sure of getting the right results?

The answer is Applying Proven Methods

Doing practically anything is simple when you’re aware of the best way to do it.  Anything is simpler to master when you are well-informed in regards to the best methods.  So to get great results with developing coaching skills, you simply need to know more about how to embrace those skills that have proven effective for other managers.

Read more to improve your know-how.

The following are 5 tips for developing coaching skills of effective managers:

1. Practice Active Listening.

Why would this make a difference?

Active listening means that you are attentively focused on what is being said.  Repeating back what you thought was said gives the employee to correct or clarify what they just said.   Seek to understand first, then seek to be understood.

What usually happens when/if you follow these suggestions?

You can recommend a solution that addresses the real concern of the other party.   Additionally it builds trust between employee and their manager.   Communication should be two-way where ideas and opinions are openly shared and received.

2. Master Communication Styles.

This is important because communication is more than vocal.   Your gestures, tone and pitch of voice, and even appearance send a message to your audience even without vocal words.    Knowing when to appear calm and when to be enthusiastic are important skills for conveying the right message.

And it can be very important because a good coach practices asking the right questions and does not always give answers.   These guiding questions can help the receiver find the right answers by themselves which reinforces the value of the lessons that are learned.

3. Recognize and Appreciate Accomplishments.

The primary reason behind this is positive recognition of desired behaviors will encourage them to be repeated. Additionally, it sets the proper atmosphere for delivering more negative feedback on opportunities for improvement.

It’s also a good idea because recognition is a strong motivator for others within the group as well.  Most people want to get better in their jobs.   Seeing others being recognized and appreciated for their accomplishments will serve as an example for others to follow..

4. Be a Self-Improvement Role Model.

And just exactly why is this a good idea?

A manager who seeks his own opportunities for additional training and other value added experiences sets a climate where others will strive for continuous improvement as well.

Are there more reasons?

Yes,  people are more receptive to advice from others who don’t appear to “know it all”. It is okay to share stories of how you learned and developed throughout your career and to let other know areas that you are still working on to improve your own skill set.

5. Practice Visionary Leadership.

And what makes this important?

An effective coach shares a clear vision of what is possible to his team.

By setting expectations for himself and his staff he sends a strong message of what behaviors and actions are needed to achieve success.   This is critical in building the confidence of the team so that they can see themselves attaining the goal.

What other significant reasons will there be?

Managers who celebrate the small improvements (wins) re-energizes his staff to push further.   It is very important that progress is tracked and acknowledged to keep the team motivated.

As you follow these 5 tips carefully you are more likely to have very satisfactory results with developing your coaching skills.   You can expect great results and a more efficient, dedicated, productive and energized staff.

As always you comments below are welcomed and appreciated.

Filed Under Effective Manager, Employee Motivation Techniques, Feedback Manager, Managerial Skills, managers coaching | Leave a Comment

Tagged With , , , , , ,

Comments

Leave a Reply