Coaching can prove a valuable tool for motivating and engaging employees.
80% of people who received coaching reported increased self-confidence, while 70% reported improved performance, relationships and effective communication skills (Source: ICF, 2009). Increased engagement can lead to higher sales and customer satisfaction.
This blog post will explore how businesses can effectively incorporate coaching into their frameworks to encourage increased performance and success.
5 Steps of Coaching
1. Set Goals
Coaching can be about improvement or training on a new process. It is important to be clear with employees about expectations at the start and how the intended results will look. By doing this, both managers and employees will be on the same page.
2. Be Specific
It is important to set specific criteria for achieving the set goals, as well as the timeline to complete. It is important to keep a continuous flow of communication before, during and after the coaching process.
Ensure employees receive additional coaching on areas that they should improve on, and that they are recognised for the progress they have made throughout the coaching process.
3. Managing the Process
During the coaching process, it is important to manage but not micromanage – ensure your employees are given room and autonomy to complete their goals. Always ensure encouragement, instruction and guidance is given without being overbearing.
Correct employees without using a negative tone, while measuring employees’ success against the timeline drawn out at the start.
4. Give feedback
Ensure clear and consistent feedback is given during the coaching process, providing examples where necessary, being clear on what employees could do differently and why tasks should be done in a certain way.
Positive feedback should also be given to celebrate an employee’s journey on the coaching process.
5. Combine coaching with education
Coaching may be more effective if it is combined with education. This could be the form of virtual learning platforms or workshops to help integrate and apply knowledge acquired during the coaching process.
This blog post has outlined 5 key steps to follow while integrating a coaching program to increase employees’ performance and engagement. In doing so, it is hoped the self-confidence, relationships and communication skills of employees will flourish, as well as the ability to learn new business processes if training is required. Coaching may be useful for everyone and can be used flexibly, with the possibility of adapting and creating new goals to meet business and staff needs.