Coaching and management

Recent trend on integrating coaching approaches into management is very powerful and positive in my opinion. Of course, there are different management styles, business needs and no one size fits all, but coaching can really help to empower people and resolve the challenge with motivation.

What is important for an employee? What the person enjoys doing and where are their strengths? What is preferred way of learning? How can the manager help to learn “to fish” vs giving “the fish”? what do they think a solution could be?

And it is very fair if an employee does not want to make any changes and is happy with doing the same thing day in and day out. That would be more of a question of hiring and what type of people fit the role/team/job the best. Coaching approach would work only when there is good reception and willingness to try on the other side.

In my day-to-day experience I find it very useful not just in 1-1 setting, but also with the team. When we discuss a situation, instead of jumping in with my own view and ideas (and I usually do have plenty) it is helpful to pause and ask: “what do you think?” and let the floor open for the discussion. 10 smart people in a room can generate a lot of great ideas and because those ideas come from inside and not top down, the level of motivation to give it a go is totally different. This allows to develop healthy team dynamics, with good level of trust, innovation, and motivation.

What do you think? What is your experience?