Coaching Skills and Positive Motivation

There is one important point that is often missed in the discussion of Coaching Skills: Effective coaching is a great deal more than just problem solving. Many people misinterpret coaching as only a corrective process aimed at specific error and deficiencies of an individual. Actually, the use of coaching skills doesn't always have to be driven by problems. Challenges, opportunities, and obstacles that transcend any one member of the organization can be the motivating force. This type of coaching is very exciting to do. It is less personalized in nature and therefore not as stressful or tense. Although it does require certain skills, mindset, and approaches used in problem solving, it can be applied to positive coaching, which is designed to empower employees to go farther and contribute in new ways.

We have found it hard to motivate some leaders to take responsibility for positive coaching seriously. Many leaders tell us, "I don't have any problems with my employees. They are all good people, they work hard and pull their own weight, and frankly I can't think of a thing I would change or talk to them about."

If I had a dollar for every time I have heard this comment, I would be basking in the sun on an exotic beach rather than writing this article. Managers think they are "off the hook" because they see nothing to change, correct, or improve upon. They couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, these fortunate leaders need to be as active in their coaching role as in the leader who is beset with enormous problems. In fact, wise leaders are extremely active when things are going well. They coach and confer with employee on how to maintain and sustain the current state of affairs or develop strategies on how to move closer to their visions and values. In short, good leaders are not satisfied with acceptable performance.

Leaders cannot be silent. To achieve the full potential and maximize employee contributions, leaders need some restless dissatisfaction with the status quo, to encourage others to reach new heights. Whatever leaders and their units achieve will be the product of the behavior of those who work for them.

The fact of the matter is organizations are downsizing. There are fewer promotional opportunities and more career plateaus with increasing numbers of professional employees. Still many organizations have many good performers with no specific performance problems. These are all realities of modern organization life that contributes to the need for positive coaching skills. Since problem-solving coaching sessions produce a certain amount of stress, it is easy to think that most of the manager's time will be spent in this type of session. This is not necessarily the case at all.

To put the two types of session into proper perspective, we believe effective mangers will spend 75% of their coaching time in positives session. The reason we emphasize the problem-solving session in our writing and coaching skills workshop is because this area is more challenging, confronting, and will tax the leader's skills and patience heavily.

Steven J. Stowell, PhD is the co-founder of the Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness.

To learn more about the 25 years of research CMOE has conducted around coaching skills, or to learn more about our books and program, contact our Regional Manager at (801) 569-3444.

---

Self-Defense Within Martial Arts Training Demands a Real-World Perspective

This story is being offered in response to a request... Read More

Life On The Receiving End Of Coaching

What is it like to be on the receiving end... Read More

The Power of Online Memberships

Have you ever noticed geese flying overhead, whether that be... Read More

Take a Chance, Win a Prize

I think that we're all probably familiar with the fairground... Read More

Solution-Focused Therapy

Most types of psychotherapy involve exploring feelings, being validated, finding... Read More

The Power of a Scope

We all know the power of a scope if you... Read More

Live With An Attitude Of Gratitude

Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you... Read More

Budda In Your Back Pocket

The other day I was late for something. Not very... Read More

How To Deal With People Who Dislike You

When you read books on personal development and articles about... Read More

Integrating Life and Work

Organizations are finally creating cultures that support a work and... Read More

Fear Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of!

What do you do when fear shows up? Do you... Read More

The Mid-Life Challenge: Make a Plan to Re-ignite Vocational Passion

Nobody will stop you in the hallway at work to... Read More

D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E.

What does this word really mean anyway? According to Webster's... Read More

The Value of Career Coaching and Its Effect on Productivity

Athletes the world over have coaches. Yet, workers whose very... Read More

Key Questions for a Coaching Conversation

There are 2 key skills that coaches need to be... Read More

Recreating Yourself

So it's time for a change. You've taken that hard... Read More

Get Out What You Put In!

During a recent coaching session with Mark, I was briefly... Read More

Why a Self Help Book May Not Help You

For a self help book to work, we have to... Read More

Coaches, Do You Make These 7 Deadly Cash Flow Mistakes in Your Practice?

Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More

Unleash Your True Potential

Some time ago I attended a birthday party and met... Read More

How to Kill Fear When Dealing with Aggressive People

The book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by... Read More

Get Coached!

Coaching is a hot trend at a growing number of... Read More

Living In The Now

I hope you are sitting down as you read this!... Read More

Kabbalah Coach: Love the One Youre With

IntroductionEvery one of us came to the planet to figure... Read More

How to Turn Around A Sinking Conversation - 7 Tips

When a conversation is not working out there is the... Read More

Searching For Your Calling ? Quest or Curse?

Judging by the extraordinarily positive reader response to Po Bronson's... Read More

Do you know WHAT MAKES ME MAD?? It makes me SO MAD I just want to...

Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More

Are You Invisible?

Ellen was brought up to be invisible. She was taught... Read More

4 Quick, Easy Ways to Say No to People Who Take You for Granted

No matter how wonderful you are sometimes other people will... Read More

Becoming An Information Filter And A Knowledge Sponge

As the title states, "Become an Information Filter and a... Read More

The Role of Grief Group Facilitators

Technically, there are two types of grief groups. Informational and... Read More

The American Dream ? Are We Really Free?

The promises of THE AMERICAN DREAM (to have it all... Read More

Help! I Need to Make a Decision!

Many people who come to my office say they have... Read More