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There are many techniques and tools available for coaching. As a manager i have received significant training coaching and developing staff. There are several steps that need to occur to coach others successfully. You need to take a look at yourself and your coaching style and skills. Then adopt a plan that outlines a systematic approach to coaching.

First you need to frame a partnership with the individual or group that you are coaching. You need to show a genuine interest in the person or individuals or the partnership will never get off the ground. Use active listening skills, and spend more time listening than talking. Expect some resistance and or reluctance to change, provide feedback to learn coping skills because without change, things will remain stagnate. If you are having some difficulty getting the partnership off the ground, ask for feedback from others to gain skills to strengthen your coaching skills.

Do you inspire commitment with the individual or group that you are coaching? There needs to be a solid understanding of the goals and values of the individual or individuals you are coaching. Open communication is a key factor. You need a solid understanding of the individual or individuals view on their own performance and capabilities. Their goals need to be in alignment with personal priorities and the needs of the organization you are working for. Help the individual or group of individuals develop a plan for their growth and development.

The leader needs to create a safe and effective learning work environment. Search out information, in-services, training programs to build new skills. Use every resource that you can find, the more knowledge that is provided will make it easier to build skills.Encourage some risk taking and learning from mistakes. There is always a lesson to be learned from any experience, it needs to be utilized as an opportunity for growth.

You need to show persistence. Provide the individual or individuals with opportunities to practice new skills. Encourage and motivate them to stay focused. Monitor for what is called "coach-able movements", where there has been success or even disappointment. This is where you need to revisit their goals and keep them energized to develop and meet their goals. Frequent feedback is a necessity to help them stay on the path and be successful.

The foundation of any effective coaching relationship is trust. You need to show consistency between what you say and your actions. Show that you can make realistic commitments and demonstrate follow through. Always make you expectation clearly known and be willing to admit when you have made a mistake.

Help the individual or the group of individuals with problem solving skills. A successful coach will teach people to solve problems and not solve them yourself. If you are meeting resistance, then regroup and restate your goals. Look through the eyes of the individual or individuals that you are coaching. Help them to clarify their views and show a belief that you truly understand them. A good coach knows how to listen and find out what is important to people.

The responsibility for development does not belong to you, it belongs to the individual or individuals you are coaching. A large part of the job of coach involves teaching others to help themselves. If they directly ask you to problem solve, hold your tongue and suggest other opportunities that would be beneficial to them. The biggest challenge is to prevent people from getting off track and getting them back on. Keep them energized and refocus them on the objectives and you will have met your goal of becoming a successful coach.

Learn more about this author, D. P. Noe.
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