By Kevin Eikenberry
There are many methods managers can take to become a better coach. Today, I’m giving you three keys to coaching success. Try them out and find the best approach that works for you and your team members.
Perspective
One of the things coaches bring to those they coach is a different perspective. Let’s face it: As humans, we have plenty of blind spots. A good coach will bring an outside perspective to a situation. A great coach will provide multiple perspectives for others to consider.
A new perspective can be useful as well as limiting. Great coaches offer a different perspective but help those they are coaching see even more viewpoints. This is designed to reduce blind spots and help people see their behavior and results in helpful new ways.
Questioner
How can anyone become a better coach without learning how to ask better questions? I’m not sure it’s possible.
Coaching is about helping other people see, learn and, in many cases, choose to make changes. The only way we as humans truly commit to change is when we come to that choice ourselves. By shifting from coach as advice giver and questioner, we improve the likelihood that people will own the changes they want to make.
Ask more questions, ask them earlier in the coaching conversation and slow down enough for people to process and answer them. As you improve those habits and skills, you will become a better coach.
Here are four of my favorite coaching questions.
Relationship
Coaching is most effective when there is a relationship between the coach and those being coached. You do not need to be friends, but there must be a bond of understanding and trust to improve the success of the coaching. To become a better coach, focus on building a level of mutual respect and understanding with your employees. Build clear boundaries and expectations about the relationship and coaching process, and treat those you coach as humans first.
Consider this: How healthy are the relationships you have with those you coach?
Perspective, questions and relationships are all components of coaching success. Hopefully one of these resonates with you and you will begin exploring how it will help you become a better coach.
Kevin Eikenberry is the chief potential officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a leadership and learning company based in Indianapolis, with a team across the United States. His books include Remarkable Leadership, From Bud to Boss, The Long-Distance Leader, The Long-Distance Teammate and The Long-Distance Team.
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