Employees prefer to work for managers they can look up to and who treat them with respect. Supervisors who recognize that coaching is an important part of their job are likely to be viewed positively by the employees who report to them. By learning coach effectively, organizational leaders can have a positive impact on individual team members as well as overall departmental and company productivity.
Significance
Supervisors are responsible for motivating their employees to perform at their best in order to reach departmental and organizational objectives. This is why coaching is such an important part of every manager's job. Effective coaching involves providing employees with training, encouragement, and feedback. Supervisors who function as coaches are able to have a positive impact on productivity, quality, and employee morale.
Function
Providing employees with feedback is one of the most important functions of coaching. Many supervisors make the mistake of assuming that employees know whether or not they are doing a good job. This is not correct, and employees should not be put in the position of working without feedback. It's important to let workers know when they are doing a good job, as well as pointing out when their performance requires improvement.
Types
Managers must be able to provide their employees with different types of coaching. When employee performance is below standard, managers have to take on a coaching role that focuses on training employees on do what is expected of them. When the focus is on building cooperation within the organization, managers must take on a coaching role that emphasizes team building activities. When working with employees who are being considered for promotions, their supervisors often function as career path coaches.
Time Frame
The coaching part of a manager's job is never done. Supervisors must providing coaching to their employees on an ongoing basis. In order to provide effective coaching, managers should constantly look for opportunities to reinforce positive performance, improve performance that is below standard, and identify employees who may be ready to be considered for advancement within the organization.
Effects
Employees who are properly coached are much more likely to be productive and to reach their potential in the workplace.
Considerations
Being an effective coach involves proactively identifying challenges, looking for and implementing solutions, and helping employees become the best and most effective workers they can be. In order to coach employees effectively, managers must be perceptive and have effective communication skills.
Benefits
Employees who work for supervisors who function as coaches rather than for managers who have very autocratic styles are often the most productive workers. They also typically report high degrees of job satisfaction, have positive morale, and exhibit commitment to the organization's vision and mission. This often results in enhanced employee retention and profitability for the company.
