Help the Manager Develop her Own Solutions
People generally know what is the right or appropriate thing to do. Often your job is to draw the answer out of the individual. If you give the person the answer, the manager is less likely to “own” and fully enroll in the solution or answer. Winston Connor suggests the coach say to the manager, “Let’s explore the possibilities. What is it that you really want?” He feels the “result will be stronger and richer because we fostered ownership.”
You can provide options and recommend resources. You can give your opinion. You can answer questions, but ultimately, the answer must be the manager’s. (How do you think the situation should be handled? What have you considered doing? What do you think you need to do to move to the next level?)
Practice Highly Honed Communication Skills for Coaching
Listen to hear the specific needs of the manager who seeks your assistance. Don’t automatically assume that this question or this situation is like any other you have encountered. Give your customer your full attention and take in information that will lead to insightful, personalized responses to the manager’s questions.
Listen also, for what the individual is not saying verbally. Watch facial expression, body language and movements. Listen to the tone of voice and any expressions of emotion. Ask open-ended questions to draw out the manager, such as, “tell me what you are considering doing". Questions that appear to seek out motives such as, “why did you do that?” will shut discussion down.
The Coach Is Always an Educator
As an HR professional, you educate managers and supervisors as you work with them as a supportive partner and coach. Your goal is to make them self-sufficient. You give them the tools they need to be successful in their business-related and interpersonal functions.
You assist by supplying a process they can follow to build their skills. A manager should leave an HR professional feeling stronger, more knowledgeable and more capable of addressing the opportunities in the future.
“There is a great man who makes every man feel small. But the real great man is the man who makes every man feel great. --G.K. Chesterton
What Do You Think?
What tips can you offer others about the HR coaching role? I’d like to hear from you. Please post in the HR Forum.
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