Coaching and Mentoring
Coaching
The practical coach inspires, encourages and challenges his or her team.
Setting expectations is key. Other ways to inspire your team are as follows:
- Set the standard;
- Communicate your vision of success;
- Demonstrate your positive attitude;
- Encourage your team;
- Never let great work go unnoticed;
- Never let poor work go unnoticed;
- Make it safe to fail;
- Check it out before you challenge;
- Don't let defense techniques sidetrack you;
- GIVE FEEDBACK!: It has been said that feedback is the breakfast of champions. Employees want to know how they are doing. Do not give false praise, but catch them "doing something right" as often as possible.
Mentoring
What is mentoring? "Mentoring is the individualized support, assistance, guidance and optimum amount of challenge which one professional gives to another--whether new comer or mid-careerist in the profession." (University of California)
Mentoring is a relationship between two people where the following exchange may occur:
- Sponsorship and exposure to new opportunities;
- Coaching and feedback on work performance;
- Role modeling for values, attitudes, and skills;
- Counseling and confidential sharing of information;
- Acceptance and confirmation where trust and support build self-confidence;
- Mutual respect, friendship, and caring about the well-being of another person;
- Shared responsibility where both mentors and protégés have a role.
The mentoring process can take place in a formal or informal context. A formal mentoring program identifies and matches mentors and protégés. Informal mentoring occurs when people seek out and take advantage of opportunities that exist. This is by far the more prevalent form.
