Coaching Program
Help your staff become active in developing the potential of others
Download a brochure about this program.
This professional development series will expand the skills of your mangers and supervisors as active coaches who view "growing others" as a key component of their positions. Approaches to management are shifting away from "command and control" to coaching. Business coaching focuses on employee development through non-coercive means, and is based on honest and open communication, listening and questioning skills. Program participants learn the attitudes and attributes of successful coaches. Your organization benefits by:
- Developing more of your own leaders
- Increasing organizational teamwork and sharing
- Enhancing staff motivation and commitment to their own professional growth
- Promoting succession planning and knowledge transfer with key individuals
Who should attend
Supervisors, managers and others who want to improve their skills in developing, motivating and "growing" their staff to reach their goals and perform to their potential.
The courses
The Coaching Process and Stages of Coaching
4 hours of instruction
Participants gain an understanding of the role of the coach, how it differs from other forms of leadership, and why different skills and attributes are needed to be a successful coach. The stages of the coaching process will be covered, as well as common mistakes new coaches make when they are unaware of a particular phase of the coaching process.
Learning objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the philosophy of the manager/supervisor as coach
- Analyze distinguishing characteristics of outstanding coaches
- Learn four stages of the coaching process and appropriate skills to use at each one
- Identify common mistakes of new coaches and how to avoid them
Understanding Your Coaching Style
4 hours of instruction
Leaders create an environment in which their staff knows what is expected, and they feel committed to doing a great job. As a coach, you need to build relationships with your team and with a range of stakeholders throughout the organization. Learn when to challenge and when to support employees.
Learning objectives:
- Discover your preferred coaching style using provided assessments
- Analyze ways to increase trust and encourage employees to take initiative
- Learn from research what employees are looking for from supervisors and their organization
Strengths-Based Coaching
4 hours of instruction
One of the primary goals of the coaching process is to assist individuals in identifying and developing their strengths to increase the value of their contributions. Gain an understanding of the importance of helping staff identify their natural gifts and how to find creative ways to use these strengths on the job.
Learning objectives:
- Identify three myths about using strengths
- Assess your own and your staff's strength profiles
- Learn ways to coach your staff in overcoming common barriers to using their strength
- Develop techniques for formulating strengths-based goals
Coaching Communications Skills
4 hours of instruction
Effective communication is the lifeblood of the successful coach. Participants will focus on the skills of listening, understanding intent and non-verbal communication. They will also learn to give clear instructions and to delegate assignments.
Learning objectives:
- Analyze the impact of body language, tone of voice and words used when coaching others
- Learn ways to give clear instructions and delegate assignments
- Practice and improve active listening skills
The Coaching Meeting
4 hours of instruction
Skilled managers, supervisors and team leaders understand that outstanding employee performance is not achieved by means of control, but rather through coaching that achieves the following three goals: 1) recognizes and reinforces positive employee performance 2) helps employees be aware of development needs and 3) empowers employees to improve their performance. This half-day workshop provides a seven-step formula for conducting coaching meetings based on mutual trust and respect.
Learning objectives:
- Identify strengths and improvement needs for specific skills needed to conduct effective coaching meetings
- Learn the difference between coaching and "taking someone to task"
- Analyze a seven-step process for coaching any performance management meeting
- Learn a formula for giving constructive feedback
Having Difficult Conversations as a Coach
4 hours instruction
Practice the skills of effective communications under difficult circumstances. Learn what to do when you "get stuck" in the coaching process; how to handle the more difficult and challenging topics, conversations and issues; when as a coach to use confrontation; and how a coach should bring up the difficult topics that might enable a staff member to move to the next level of growth and development.
Learning objectives:
- Learn the three conversations that take place at the same time
- Analyze how to approach certain types of difficult conversations productively
- Learn the principles of "fierce conversations"
- Practice the skills of effective communication under difficult circumstances
Coach as Motivator
4 hours instruction
By knowing about the motivation of others in the workplace, managers and supervisors can more effectively meet organizational goals through direct reports. Learn to identify factors affecting employee performance in the workplace and those influencing the employees' own internal motivation needs. Examine motivation theories, ideas and problem solving for creative ways to provide recognition, growth and develop employees.
Learning objectives:
- Learn major theories of employee motivation and apply these theories to your workplace
- Review thirty ideas for motivating employees
- Identify what employees want most from their job and employer
- Practice applying motivational skills to real-life employee challenges
- Develop a personal action plan to utilize these skills
Case Studies in Effective Coaching
4 hours of instruction
Apply skills learned in the program to real cases and put it all together. By reviewing case studies, participants will have the chance to apply the skills they have learned to real cases and situations. Time is provided for case analysis, sharing of approaches and actual simulations.
Learning objectives:
- Learn to apply skills acquired in the program to real cases
- Discuss key factors influencing coaching decisions
- Develop an action plan for one's development as a coach
Learn More
Please contact our associate director of Corporate Education, Kathy Canevari, at (530) 757-8895 or email for information about developing a program specifically designed for your organization.
