Bosses Are Out ? Managers As Coaches Are In

There is a new trend taking hold in business today which translates into amazing productivity, results, and a happier workforce. It's easy, positive, and some say transformative; best of all, it's something you and every other individual charged with the responsibility for getting results through others can learn to do. It is?coaching people instead of managing them.

Coaching is a skill, style, and way of being which emanates from the root value of caring for one's self and others. Wouldn't you agree - you are more centered, motivated, and productive in an environment where you know others sincerely care about your growth and development, not just what you can do for them? If you're ready for more success and break-through results, commit to mastering some of a coach's skills and characteristics:

1. Create a co-active partnership with employees.

There is no room for a hierarchy here. View employees as equals, embrace diversity, and utilize dialogue and inquiry, which tap the knowledge of each individual, to develop strategies/solutions. You will find employees are motivated to contribute because they have ownership in the solution and an opportunity to express their unique gifts, talents, and passions.

2. Be a guide.

Share your knowledge experience, ideas and wisdom to support employees in moving forward personally and professionally. Understand that what worked for you may or may not be right for another, and only what resonates as meaningful or insightful will be absorbed and applied.

3. Use positive language.

Words have the power to change your life and change your mood in a flash ? no kidding. Just listen to the words people use in the next couple of days, notice what is being said on TV, radio, conversations around you, and what you say. Explore the quality of your words and the energy behind them. Are they positive and expanding or negative and contracting? Understand the power of language and use words that are affirmative and compassionate.

4. Listen.

When was the last time you were really heard and felt safe enough to say it all? Give your full attention to each employee. No multi-tasking, judging, rushing to fill the pause or presupposing an outcome allowed. Use your intuition and all your other senses to hear the words and tone of what the employee is and is not saying.

5. Be honest and caring in your communications.

Don't step over anything. Look for achievements to compliment and keep employees advised of pertinent organizational information and expectations?they need this to effectively do their jobs. Remember, employees can't change what they don't know - share performance improvement feedback in a humane and constructive way as soon as possible.

6. Model life long learning and encourage self-development in others.

You likely want more success, money, balance, happiness, etc. Chances are your employees do too. Support each in their individual quest to continually learn and grow to be their best.

7. Build a strong personal foundation.

Be sure the infrastructure supporting your own life is strong and healthy. Take care of any unfinished business from the past and don't waste energy worrying about the future, it may never come to pass. Live fully in the present, surround yourself with a loving family, a community of friends, get your financial and protective reserves in place, and make time for fun and self-care.

Imagine yourself as the catalyst, your team as the source, and your company as the benefactor of greater productivity, improved working relationships, better-quality customer service, and higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention?learn to be a coach in the workplace.

Pam N. Woods is co-author of a bestselling book, Create the Business Breakthrough You Want: Secrets and Strategies from the World's Greatest Mentors; endorsed by Ken Blanchard and Dr. Stephen Covey. She is a Coach U graduate and President of Smart WorkLife Solutions, a coaching and consulting company devoted to co-creating customized solutions to fit clients business and personal organizing needs. Prior to founding her own firm she had a successful 20+ year career as an insurance executive and Vice President of Human Resources. For more free how-to articles and advice, or to contact Woods, visit http://www.worklifecoach.com. Copyright 2002 - Pam Woods

---

The Cheapest, Forget It !

Wouldn't it be great if we got get the cheapest... Read More

Training and ROI (Return On Investment)

Statistics consistently reinforce that the biggest challenge in today's contact... Read More

Disaster Prevention Tips For Hiring A New Manager

It happens over and over in businesses every day.Within large... Read More

Five Reasons Why Leaders Fail to Create Successful Change

A bold title, don't you think? I mean, change is... Read More

Medical Malpractice: Three Myths That Cost Your Hospital Millions

What's the use?Nothing you do will hold down the cost... Read More

Multiple Channels, Multiple Times

I've just been reading about the frustrations of a Human... Read More

Your Company Without Training - Any Questions?

Okay, be honest!Are you guilty of sticking in a few... Read More

3 Innovation Keys - Do Your Innovative Efforts Need More Power?

Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief... Read More

Objects in the Mirror are Further Than They Appear

Definition From http://www.merriamwebster.com -- "Virtual: - being such in essence... Read More

Stop Going to Meetings - 10 Questions to Ask Before Attending a Meeting - Get More Productive

We get invited to attend so many "meetings" but do... Read More

Innovation Management: The Power of Emotional Attachment

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Middle Managers Behaving Badly ? How To Stop This Damaging Your Results

More and more I hear and read about a looming... Read More

Score the Rainbows Pot of Gold: Become the Boss That No One Wants to Leave

Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the... Read More

Appraisal Systems - Not Living Up to Their Objectives

Almost, if not all organisations have them, they've been around... Read More

Communicating When A Crisis Strikes

How would you handle communication if your business or practice... Read More

Spirits in the Corporate Boardroom.......Oh, sure......

There is a growing movement in the spiritual... Read More

A Winning Way to Handle New Ideas

Janet DiClaudio, who was charge of medical records at two... Read More

Ten Business Reasons Why Asking for Help Works

In fact, bringing your people - any of them -... Read More

Give Yourself a Boss? Day Gift

Become a better boss and reap the benefitsAnother interesting study... Read More

Is Your Management Style Assisting or Hurting Your Business?

Many times business owners can have significant differences in management... Read More

Unveiling the Value of Your Expertise

All of us have knowledge, expertise, and experience that others... Read More

Supervisor-Employee Relations: Tips For Managers

Supervisor-employee relations are a critical part of a work place... Read More

Project Management 101

Project management is a very important business concept because it... Read More

Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk: Part 1

Leaders speak 15 to 20 times daily. You speak at... Read More

Management - Mary Poppins Style!

Mary Poppins describes a style of management which has for... Read More

Quick Tip - Effective Meetings Have a Complete Agenda

Most agendas for a meeting look like this.* Budget* Payroll*... Read More

Employees Commit Corporate Fraud

Imagine the following scenario; Ten years ago you decided to... Read More

Making Change Work

Shaky FoundationsWhilst over 60% of businesses will be looking to... Read More

Great Hires: Avoid Costly Mistakes

Picking people for a job is like going... Read More

10 Steps When You Need Help in Your Business

If you think ahead and plan, many nightmare panic and... Read More

Innovation Management ? Good Leadership

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Oasis in a Cash Flow Desert - Four Resources That Increase Small Business Capital Streams

For small business owners, an enthusiastic vision for smooth, steady... Read More

Internal Control - The Why and How

Many retailers do not have good internal controls in place... Read More