A Good Coach is a Good Teacher

        Good coaching helps develop a person’s potential, be it in sports or at work.  Staff selection only identifies possible potential.

         On-the-job training and sound coaching are the best ways to develop people for your teams.

A Handful of Tips to help improve your coaching

* At the beginning

         It’s very important to allocate an experienced coach to all new people starting in a new organisation – to teach them the ropes.     All organisations differ and have different standards, different rules, and different expectations.

         Make sure the people know what is expected from them and explain the possible rewards for achievements.

         Coaches should be trained on the best way to coach and train and – this especially applies to team leaders and managers.

* Systematic  training  is best

         It’s helpful to have agreed goals for each coaching session. Try to guide discussions through good open-ended questions.

         Challenge the people you are coaching with graduated step-by-step experiences to build their confidence.

         Give regular reports and feedback on progress. Feedback is so important to make progress.

* Be positive and supportive

         Any criticism should be constructive in a non-threatening manner.

         Be honest at all times. If you have first established a good working relationship you should be able to point out weaknesses and mistakes.

         A good coach gives corrections without causing resentment.

* Praise and Reward

         Give praise when it is warranted. This will encourage people to improve.       

         Rewards for success can take many forms from a day’s leave, a car park, but best of all, a new position with an increased salary.

* Practise new skills

         Remember it is harder to unlearn bad habits than to learn new skills.

         New skills must be put into practice soon after they are learned or people become frustrated.

         Of all the many ways to train sound coaching can be the most effective and the most profitable. But the coaches must be trained.

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“Increased profits are the reward for sound coaching.”

Source: my book “Training Secrets”