If you are like me – the workplace can seem chaotic and take a toll on your overall performance. For example, I can personally get drained jumping back and forth between project management, employee relations, client management, delivering quality products/services, cash flow management, etc. It’s hard just step back and take stock in all that is happening, keep your clarity, and keep your edge. One of the best ROI’s (return-on-investment) for today’s busy organization is performance coaching.
What is Performance Coaching?
Performance coaching is a 1-on-1 formal or informal relationship focused on moving an already functional person to greater success. Coaching gives you the chance to temporarily step away from the chaos, untangle distress, address ambivalence, identify priorities, and create action and momentum. Trained coaches are curious and skilled at using open-ended questions, reflection, and providing new perspective to your ideas. They see the whole person in context, not the isolated work-self. Further, coaches let the employee lead the conversation. Therefore, they listen more than speak giving the employee the space to identify solutions that are more authentic and durable.
Managers are Being Trained to Be More Like Coaches
Coaching is such a power vehicle for performance that even managers and leaders are now learning to incorporate these skills into their practice. Research and consulting firm Gallup finds that only 2 in 10 employees strongly agree their performance is managed in a way that motivates them to do outstanding work. They advise that managers shift from a traditional approach of ‘telling’ to having more meaningful dialogue around job priorities, ongoing feedback, communication, and follow-up accountability. The key is knowing that your team members are rich with talent, and the manager’s role as a ‘coach’ is to help an already functional person to greater success.
Is it Really Worth the Expense?
I don’t like throwing money at things that don’t work! I can say, with a high degree of confidence, that when a motivated organization is matched with an effective performance coach, real ROI (return on investment) will be gained. These gains come in the form of innovative business growth ideas, wiser decision making, overcoming ambivalence, momentum towards needed actions, adapted approaches to communication and leadership, and most of all – greater clarity. A coaching recipient should leave the room with a simplification of their challenges, leaning-into their next move.
What’s Next? PROFESSIONAL COACHING
Whether you want to train your managers and leaders to understand how to coach or you want to train employees on creating a coaching culture give us a call and we can ‘coach’ you towards a solution that meets your needs.
Dr. Chance T. Eaton
Chief Learning Officer
Big Sky Way.
For more information, contact Chance Eaton from Big Sky Way today.