Our Global Resources LLC consultants have occasionally been asked to assist with coaching employees. Business owners often ask our professional advice on how to go about the coaching process the right way. Indeed, coaching can be a bit daunting whether it is directed at an individual or a team. Here is some advice for managers who want to coach:

Listen – Coaching is about listening as much as it is about talking. Don’t speculate anything at first and start moving onto talking about problems that might not exist. We highly encourage managers to listen first before coaching. It will give context to the issue at hand. It is possible that the person or the team in question already understands the situation. Like a doctor, who talks to the patient before prescribing medication, it’s very important to listen first, then coach.

Build a good relationship – To be a good coach, there must be trust between the two parties in question. Good relationships and trust are very important for building a solid mentor-mentee bond. Therefore, the coaching process must involve a genuine connection between the two parties. Get to know the person you are coaching, their ambitions and aspirations better. Then the coaching process will move forward smoothly.

Be positive – Never, ever berate the person or the team you are coaching. Great leaders encourage people to do better, rather than driving them to a corner with fear. Positivity generally brings out the best in everyone, so communication will be easier. A positive relationship will reap positive benefits.

Don’t adopt too many goals – As tempting as it may be to coach with several goals in mind, this is not a practical plan. Don’t overburden the person you are coaching with too many things at once. The process will only be successful if it takes on a step-by-step approach. Also, it’s easy to lose sight when there are too many goals on the horizon. Start with one, and then move on from there.

A coach should also maintain a consistent presence to encourage employees to achieve more. If you want more tips for coaching employees, contact one of our consultants at GR-US.com.