Coaching is a major weapon in the pursuit of better organizations and bottom lines, but managers are often hesitant to coach. Why? Are they afraid? Where do they start?
Coaching, at its most basic terms, is very simply. It's about asking questions, listening, really listening, and working WITH employees to insure better performance. Management has been led to believe leadership is about being firm and leading with an iron hand. Really? Let me use a basic foundational example. Think of the overbearing parents who yell at their child during youth sports. They scream because for heaven sakes the damn child missed a goal or shot.
Have you ever seen the kid yell back "Thanks dad for the feedback, I'll do better next time, don't you worry"
Are you laughing? I am. People do not react with better performance because they have been yelled at, humiliated, or reprimanded. People want to be inspired and challenged!
When the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA championship, their coach, Rick Carlisle, rarely was shown yelling at his players. He constantly spoke of the team and how they need to pull for each other. Needless to say they were not the most talented team but this coach inspired veterans to perform better than they ever thought possible. This from a team with an aging 37 year old point guard (Jason Kidd) leading the way.
WOW ... what coaching can do for a team, its players, and organization. By the way, I am NOT a Dallas Maverick's Fan!
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