GET THE MOST FROM YOUR WORKPLACE COACH

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

You cant reach the top of your game all by yourself. Just as sporting champions benefit from the wisdom and guidance of their coaches, so can you in your working career. The tips and advice you get from managers and mentors throughout your career can help catapult you to the top of your profession.
In the workplace, your manager is often your first and most important coach, offering feedback about your job performance that can help you refine your skills and target areas for improvement. But not all managers have the same coaching style: some are highly competitive and push for results while others take a more collaborative approach. This guide is designed to help you identify which kind of coach your boss is and how you can get the most out of your working relationship. It contains useful information about the four most common types of coaches and how to adapt to their styles. Youll also find guidelines to help you become more coachable so you can stay on top of your game throughout your career.

78% 56% 29%

of office workers agreed that career coaching helps their job performance agreed that their manager is an effective career coach

said they received no career coaching from their direct manager

Source: a survey conducted by an independent research firm, including responses from over 6,000 office workers in 12 countries.

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WHICH TYPE OF COACH IS YOUR BOSS?

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

Your daily interactions with your manager inevitably shape your attitude to work, as well as your professional ambitions and the pace at which your career advances. Your experiences and perceptions can be positive or negative, depending on how well you and your boss get along.
Your managers coaching style and how you react to it can play a large part in your working relationship. To help you understand your managers coaching style, weve described the four main types of coaches over the following pages. Youll also find tips on how best to work with each type of coach. Here are some key traits for the different types of coach, along with some dos and donts to keep in mind when youre working with each.

THE TOP 3 ATTRIBUTES FOR A CAREER COACH

33%
Mutual trust and respect

35%
Knowledge and expertise

A positive attitude

13%

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1. THE DEFINITIVE COACH

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

Efficiency is the name of the game for this type of coach.

The definitive coach makes difficult decisions quickly and confidently. This coach cuts to the chase and tends not to engage in small talk. Expect this coach to take charge, even under pressure or deadlines, and to set high standards for the team. This coach focuses more on results than pleasantries so can sometimes come across as impersonal or demanding.

When working with this type of coach:

o

Keep communication brief and to the point Align your priorities and efforts with the goals your manager is held accountable to achieving Take risks and share your ideas confidently

HERE ARE SOME OTHER KEY QUALITIES:

Thinks commercially Persistent Results oriented Highly competitive Communicates candidly Likes efficient processes Sets clear expectations Works best to a deadline or a clear goal Object if, midway through a project, your manager has a change of mind about the best approach
t

Take it personally if the boss doesnt ask about your thoughts or concerns Try to please this coach by committing to delivering things you know you cant achieve

33%
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d on

OF EMPLOYEES WANT CLEAR DIRECTIONS ON PROJECTS

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2. THE COLLABORATIVE COACH

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

Teamwork is the winning strategy for this type of coach.

The collaborative coach avoids telling others what to do and instead tries to help individuals find their own path. This coach has excellent listening skills and shares opinions only when asked. Bosses of this type shine when organising processes after roles have been clearly defined and agreed.

When working with this type of coach:

o

Deliver results consistently and communicate often about your progress Cooperate with team members and form partnerships Remain positive under pressure

OTHER KEY TRAITS:

Can see how things will be achieved Facilitates learning Excellent team builder Seeks cooperation Sees viewpoints of others Likes consistent productivity

Disregard existing processes just to get things done

t

Pressure your manager to make decisions without providing facts and multiple options Pass judgement on others ideas without considering all options

d on

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3. THE PERSUADER COACH

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Reach for new heights could be this coachs motto.

The persuader coach inspires employees to achieve more than they thought they were capable of and always comes up with creative ideas. This coach typically relates well to people and has a wide range of contacts. This individual tends to be great at inspiring the team, but also may sometimes take on more projects than is practical.

When working with this type of coach:

o

Think creatively when working on new ideas or problem solving Share your opinions and relate them to the big picture Seek to collaborate with others and use all resources available to achieve results

HERE ARE SOME OTHER KEY QUALITIES:

High-level thinker Builds strong relationships with colleagues Excellent persuasive skills Takes things as they come Creative problem solver May get bored easily Tactful, strong mediator/negotiator

Give too many details when explaining you will bore this coach
d on

Hide your career aspirations this type wants to help you achieve them Expect to have your hand held projects

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4. THE DIAGNOSTIC COACH

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

Plan ahead could be this coachs mantra.

The diagnostic coach is a steady leader who thinks systematically and has a keen eye for detail. This coach is skilled at avoiding mistakes, duplications and redundancies, and is known for the ability to ensure that everything is working at 100% capacity. Overall, this coach favours predictable, organised approaches and dislikes surprises. Thats why its best to give this manager as much lead time as possible when proposing changes.

When working with this type of coach:

o

Manage your time efficiently Accomplish what you say you will no excuses Provide detailed information to support your decision making

OTHER IMPORTANT QUALITIES INCLUDE:

Logical, fact-based thinker Wants to build strategies that will last Excellent problem solver Very disciplined Manages teams by building their skills Dots the is and crosses the ts
d on

Make snap decisions just to meet a deadline or please someone else

t

Chit-chat too much about personal opinions when presenting ideas or giving status updates Develop only one solution present several possible outcomes for your managers consideration

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ADAPTING TO DIFFERENT COACHING STYLES

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

Keep in mind that there is no best type of coach.

While you may naturally be drawn to one style, you can learn from any of the defined types. The key is to be open-minded and responsive to your bosss style. For example, a definitive coach might inspire you to become more efficient, while a collaborative one may teach you to take others opinions and viewpoints into account. Similarly, a persuasive coach may challenge you to become more creative, and a diagnostic coach might just push you to be more thorough and focused. Although most managers can offer some form of coaching to employees, occasionally there are some with poor intentions or an inability to impart wisdom. If your manager isnt a capable coach, try looking for another mentor to help guide your career. Perhaps a more senior colleague or another professional contact would be willing to help you. The important thing is to find someone who can give advice and inspire you to achieve your goals.

68%

of employees say career coaching motivates them at work

FASTER
TAKE THE QUIZ

HIGHER

STRONGER

Are you a manager? Identify your coaching style to help you build a motivated and productive team.

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HOGER

STERKER

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HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MORE COACHABLE

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

Great athletes dont just have great coaches they listen and allow themselves to be inspired by their coaches. Your coach can help you develop your skills only if you are open to this help. These tips will help you get the most from your coach or mentor.
Create a game plan. To determine how best to help you, your coach needs to know what you want to accomplish. If youre not sure yourself, ask your coach for advice to help you clarify your goals. Consult the rulebook. Dont hesitate to ask your coachs advice about navigating sensitive or political situations. Your coachs storehouse of professional knowledge, wisdom and expertise can be invaluable when youre facing challenges. Huddle prior to the game. Before a big meeting or presentation, make sure you ask your coach for advice. These meetings before the meeting can often be a chance to pick up last-minute tips that lead to the winning outcome you want.
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Put your game face on. At times, your coach may give you constructive criticism. Rather than becoming defensive or resistant, be open to your coachs observations about your strengths and weaknesses, and be willing to take the necessary corrective steps your coach recommends. Show up for practice. Complete any mentoring assignments your coach gives you, and come to meetings prepared to work. Respect your coach and remain professional. Leave your ego at the door. If you disagree with your coach, avoid getting into a direct conflict. Instead, politely ask your coach to explain the rationale behind a particular piece of advice. Through the resulting conversation, you and your coach can come to an alternative agreement. Acknowledge your coach. Regularly show how much you appreciate your managers interest in your professional development. Help train new joiners. As you move up in your career and become a more seasoned professional, remember the debt you owe your coach. Repay it by offering a hand to new professionals in your office. Help to coach less-experienced teammates and pass on the valuable advice and wisdom youve gained. This will show your coach or mentor that you understand what being a winner really means.

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FURTHER INFORMATION AND HELPFUL LINKS

INTRODUCTION COACHING STYLES ADAPTING TO STYLES MAKE YOURSELF COACHABLE MORE INFORMATION

There are many additional resources you can turn to on coaching styles. For further reading, visit the following websites:
DiSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HRDQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Castleton Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MBTI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SHL Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saville Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . discprofile.com hrdqstore.com castletonconsulting.co.uk insights.com myersbriggs.org shl.com savilleconsulting.com

About Robert Half

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