Coaching Skills for Managers

Are you a new manager or supervisor? Or have you been asked to incorporate coaching into your management role? Perhaps you’re keen to expand your knowledge and skills on the subject. If so, then this book is written for you. This little e-book is a basic introduction to coaching, with some examples and exercises, to give you the confidence to get started. Of course, I hope that you will see the benefits of using coaching techniques in your day-to-day work, and will want to read more or take a coaching course, so there are some useful links in the final chapter. You might also see the value in engaging a coach yourself to help you move forward in your career. In the meantime, let’s make a start.

Some people like to debate the difference between Coaching and Mentoring. Is there a difference? Technically, yes, but in practice it’s not that important. Usually mentors are people in your organisation who are already skilled at your job, who may have worked there longer, and who can help you to progress in the company. A coach does not necessarily need to know all about your job role, or the people involved in the problem, but can ask meaningful questions, help you plan your next steps and then encourage you as you move towards your agreed goal. But coaching by managers and supervisors usually involves a combination of the two approaches, so you are using your own experience as well as helping your colleagues to make progress in their work.

1. Introduction
   1. So what’s the difference between coaching and managing someone?
2. Building Rapport and Listening
   1. What is rapport?
   2. Becoming a good listener
3. Time and Place
   1. How long should a coaching session last?
   2. How many coaching sessions will someone need?
   3. Where is the best place to meet?
   4. Agreeing the ‘contract’
4. Why are we here?
   1. How to set the agenda
   2. The Wheel of Work
   3. The GROW Model
5. Asking questions
   1. Why do we ask questions?
   2. Good questions are open and simple
   3. Wouldn’t it be easier simply to tell people what to do?
   4. It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it
   5. What if I don’t know what questions to ask?
   6. Questions to avoid
   7. Exercise
6. Challenging assumptions
   1. So, how would I challenge my coachee?
   2. Cognitive Dissonance
   3. Challenging actions
   4. Questions that may challenge beliefs and actions
7. Planning the next steps
   1. Dealing with obstacles
   2. Procrastination
   3. Perfectionism
   4. Exercise
8. Giving and receiving feedback
   1. What is feedback?
   2. When should I give feedback to my coachee?
   3. What not to say
   4. What to do if your feedback gets a negative response
   5. Asking for feedback on your coaching session
   6. Self-Assessment
9. Useful sources of information
   1. Coaching Courses
   2. Books
10. About the Author