What
is coaching? Here are the basic principles of coaching and what happens when
somebody engages in a coaching partnership. Find out what a good coach does.
Read the
text and then do the exercises.
An introduction to coaching
1
Coaching is a useful tool in today’s challenging world of business and commerce. Companies are downsizing, merging and restructuring and there is far more job transition than before. Sometimes managers are no longer equipped to do their work because their jobs have changed so much. They were originally trained to do one job but that training cannot be applied to the job they are doing today. Coaching is also one of the most powerful tools that a leader has in order to improve the performance of his team.
Coaching is a useful tool in today’s challenging world of business and commerce. Companies are downsizing, merging and restructuring and there is far more job transition than before. Sometimes managers are no longer equipped to do their work because their jobs have changed so much. They were originally trained to do one job but that training cannot be applied to the job they are doing today. Coaching is also one of the most powerful tools that a leader has in order to improve the performance of his team.
2
Coaching is a partnership between an individual or a team and a coach. For the purpose of this article we will refer to an individual but the concepts are exactly the same for a team. First of all the individual identifies his objectives. Then, through the process of being coached, he focuses on the skills he needs to develop to achieve those objectives. In professional coaching the individual begins by leading the conversation and the coach listens and observes. Gradually, as the coach begins to understand the individual’s goals, he will make observations and ask appropriate questions. His task is to guide the individual towards making more effective decisions and eventually achieving his objectives. Coaching looks at where the individual is now and where he wants to get to.
Coaching is a partnership between an individual or a team and a coach. For the purpose of this article we will refer to an individual but the concepts are exactly the same for a team. First of all the individual identifies his objectives. Then, through the process of being coached, he focuses on the skills he needs to develop to achieve those objectives. In professional coaching the individual begins by leading the conversation and the coach listens and observes. Gradually, as the coach begins to understand the individual’s goals, he will make observations and ask appropriate questions. His task is to guide the individual towards making more effective decisions and eventually achieving his objectives. Coaching looks at where the individual is now and where he wants to get to.
3
Between the initial interview and an individual achieving the goals he identified, there is a process in which the two parties meet for regular coaching sessions. The length of time each session lasts will be established at the start of the partnership. Between sessions an individual might be expected to complete specific tasks. A coach might also provide literature for the individual to study in preparation for the following session. Most coaches employ an “appreciative approach” whereby the individual identifies what is right, what is working, what is wanted and what is needed to get there. An appreciative approach focuses more on the positive rather than problems.
Between the initial interview and an individual achieving the goals he identified, there is a process in which the two parties meet for regular coaching sessions. The length of time each session lasts will be established at the start of the partnership. Between sessions an individual might be expected to complete specific tasks. A coach might also provide literature for the individual to study in preparation for the following session. Most coaches employ an “appreciative approach” whereby the individual identifies what is right, what is working, what is wanted and what is needed to get there. An appreciative approach focuses more on the positive rather than problems.
4
An individual who enters into a coaching partnership will usually adopt new perspectives and be able to better appreciate opportunities for self-development. Confidence will usually grow and the individual will think more clearly and be more confident in his roles. In terms of business, coaching often leads to an increase in productivity and more personal satisfaction. All of this leads to a growth in self-esteem.
An individual who enters into a coaching partnership will usually adopt new perspectives and be able to better appreciate opportunities for self-development. Confidence will usually grow and the individual will think more clearly and be more confident in his roles. In terms of business, coaching often leads to an increase in productivity and more personal satisfaction. All of this leads to a growth in self-esteem.
5
In a coaching partnership the coach first needs to listen carefully in order to fully understand the individual’s situation. He needs to support and encourage forward-planning and decision-making. A coach also needs to help an individual recognise his own potential and the opportunities that are on offer. A good coach will guide an individual to fresh perspectives. Finally, the coach must respect the confidentiality of his partner.
In a coaching partnership the coach first needs to listen carefully in order to fully understand the individual’s situation. He needs to support and encourage forward-planning and decision-making. A coach also needs to help an individual recognise his own potential and the opportunities that are on offer. A good coach will guide an individual to fresh perspectives. Finally, the coach must respect the confidentiality of his partner.
6
Coaching can bring out the best in workers, highlighting what they can achieve if they are given the right support. Both individuals and teams can enjoy an increased level of motivation after receiving the right coaching. When individuals are keen to make progress in their jobs, they usually enjoy being coached and find the experience extremely useful.
Coaching can bring out the best in workers, highlighting what they can achieve if they are given the right support. Both individuals and teams can enjoy an increased level of motivation after receiving the right coaching. When individuals are keen to make progress in their jobs, they usually enjoy being coached and find the experience extremely useful.
Task 1
Read the
text and match the titles to the paragraphs.
Paragraph 1
- The recent growth in coaching
- The growing need for coaching
Paragraph 2
- Coaching: What does is mean?
- Why do we need coaching?
- The process of coaching
- What happens in a coaching session?
- Becoming a better person
- The benefits of coaching
- How to be a coach
- The role of the coach
Task 2
Match the verb with
their definitions.
to downsize to guide to observe to
merge to restructure to support
- to join together or combine
- to make a company smaller by reducing the number of workers
- to organise something in a new way so that it operates more effectively
- to carefully watch the way that something happens
- to give somebody help and advice on how to do something
- to give encouragement to someone because you want them to do be successful
Task 3
Complete the sentences.
individual listening an individual or team well
outdated change
1. Some managers are
unable to do their jobs well because their training is .
2. Coaching is a
partnership between a coach and
.
3. A coach needs to
have excellent skills.
4. The identifies the
objectives.
5. In an ‘appreciative
approach’ the individual focuses on what is going .
6. It is important for
the individual to
their perspectives.
Task 4
Enter the correct forms
(infinitive or –ing) of the verbs in the brackets.
1. Managers often
want coaches themselves. (use)
2. Coaches need what a worker’s goals
are. (know)
3. Employees enjoy an opportunity to identify their
strengths. (have)
4. Companies need productivity. (increase)
5. Businesses have
stopped the old
techniques of training. (use)
6. Coaches
recommend
regularly to discuss progress. (meet)
7. Some employees
refuse coached. (be)
8. The business
risks clients.
(lose)
Keys
Task 1
2, 1, 1, 2, 2
Task 2
to merge
to downsize
to restructure
to observe
to guide
to support
Task 3
outdated
an individual or team
listening
individual
well
change
Task 4
to know
having
to increase
using
meeting
to be
losing
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