- Create a safe space. To encourage a productive and meaningful session, establish a setting that is calm, welcoming and supportive. Block out time to avoid interruptions. Silence your phone. Give your full focus and attention. Reassure the employee that they are free to express themselves without judgment or criticism.
- Ask the right questions. Ask questions that elicit meaningful feedback — for example, open-ended questions to allow an expansive response; reflective questions to encourage expression of feelings/opinions; sequential questions to obtain more detail and context; and clarifying questions to affirm understanding.
- Focus on the future. Remember: unlike performance reviews that are about the past, coaching is about the future. Don't let the conversation get bogged down around past events. Instead, guide employees toward identifying possibilities for growth and what they'll need to do to get there.
- Be an active listener. Be focused and fully present. Make eye contact. Observe body language. Quiet your internal dialogue. Withhold judgment. Reflect back key points to allow the employee to confirm or clarify your understanding. Request permission to share unsolicited feedback.
- Trust the power of silence. Don’t feel compelled to fill every moment with words, especially when discussing complex or sensitive topics. Silence provides breathing room to convey sensitivity and support, to reflect on what’s been said, and to offer a moment to formulate a thoughtful response.
- Keep an open mind. Avoid coming into the conversation with pre-conceived assumptions and solutions. Allow new information and insights that arise in the course of your coaching session help you and the employee identify appropriate next steps.
- Collaborate on solutions. Encourage the employee to take ownership of their development. Share ideas and insights to help identify goals, arrive at decisions, and co-create a strategy that best supports continued growth and progress.
Investing in the quality of your coaching efforts not only boosts your company’s productivity, but also ensures that your employees feel they are respected, valued and appreciated for their role in your organization’s success.
