quick wins

On the spot coaching

Good managers know that they get things done through people but sometimes feel they don't have the time to support and coach to develop performance.

Great managers realise that coaching isn't a planned activity that happens when you have the time but is more a way of managing that allows you to coach on the spot, every day.

Here's how you can do that too:

If you see or hear behaviour from your team that doesn't feature in your definition of great then stop and discuss it there and then. E.g. you overhear in a phone conversation 'I'm sorry I can't help you with that' so you stop and explore the context with them.

Start by sharing what you heard or saw, simply and objectively, and then ask them the background - it's important you don't make assumptions.

Often you won't have to do much else as they realise that they could have said or done something else. If they don't come up with an alternative action then ask 'what could you have done/said instead?'

This simple feedback and questioning process gets people into the habit of learning reflecting on their own performance on a daily basis.

Keep it up and this habit and it may become one they adopt without any prompting from you.