We should be clear about what is required of a manager when performing the role of coach in their organisation. Let’s first look at all management activity of which there are three key areas:
- Managing
- Leading, and
- Coaching
These three activities are complimentary and will help you achieve your business objectives, by enabling your team to perform at their best.
When you are leading, you create and share a vision of the future with the team and ensure their activities are consistent with that vision and making it happen.
When you are managing, you facilitate results by controlling the work of the team, by agreeing and measuring such things as client satisfaction, PPMs, budgets, timescales and so on.
When you are coaching, you support your team members in their learning, to enable them to develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to successfully deliver their job responsibilities and goals.
These three styles often overlap because some of the processes and skills that are used in one area are also key in another.
High performance is not achieved if the manager is not clear about which approach to use in a particular situation. For example, if you take a coaching approach when deadlines are tight or a crisis has arisen, time may be lost. If you take a management approach when one of your team has made a mistake, they may miss the chance to leanr from it.
Interested in coaching skills for yourself, or looking for some coaching support? Contact Liz Kentish, The FM Coach on Tel: 01778 561326 / 07717 870777 or email: coach@lizkentishcoaching.co.uk