Do You Ever Give Up Coaching Employees?

In principle, we don't want to give up coaching employees. We want to believe that we can eventually make a difference. Sometimes it's our own ego that drives our persistence and determination.

In reality, if we have followed the coaching process, we have honored our stewardship as a coach. This is especially true if we have followed the process for a significant period of time. However, coaches often make the mistake of staking their pride and confidence as a coach on one or two challenging situations. This can be dangerous! It would be nice to believe that we have that much control over another human being. However, everyone has the right to choose their own destiny. We can't force change; we can't even motivate someone else. But, we can clarify, explain, explore, highlight, recommend, and encourage. When coaching employees, we have to decide when to "back off," and let the situation either improve or deteriorate.

For years, CMOE has advised coaches to follow-up and be persistent a little longer than expected. Coaching employees takes patience ? a lot of patience! But, don't be unreasonable. If the topic permits, allow some time for the right decisions and actions to kick in. When dealing with policy, ethics, values, safety, or legal issues, explain the timeline to the coachee. We are not suggesting an ultimatum. Just explain the time sensitivity and create a time boundary.

Check in frequently with the coachee to see how they are doing, and remind them of the timeframe. If there is insufficient responsiveness or progress, this may indicate a lack of judgment, character, integrity, or indifference. When these signals arise, do a quick reality check:

  • Have you diagnosed the situation?
  • Have you tried all of the coaching skills?
  • Have you involved others in an appropriate way?

If you answer "yes" to these questions, then you need to look at your next best option to a coaching solution.

Alternatives to Coaching Employees:

  • Discuss the dilemma with the coachee. Ask for a recommendation or solution.
  • Redefine roles and responsibilities.
  • Consult with your own manager.
  • Seek good counsel from HR professionals.
  • Actively administer and institute the appropriate consequences, both positive and negative.
  • Explore a completely different assignment for the coachee with a different boss. Inform the new boss of the situation from your perspective.
  • Explore, with the coachee, whether or not he/she is a good fit for the organization. Know when enough is enough. Coaching employees takes time, energy, and patience. The bottom line is that you can't let your big coaching challenges pull you down. Remember that it takes two to tango, and "influence" has its limits.

    To find out more about how to maximize you influence when coaching employees, visit CMOE or contact one of our Regional Managers who can help you to determine you exact coaching need. You can reach them at (801) 569-3444 or email tsmith@cmoe.com

    In The News:


    Times Online

    WTA tour to allow on-court tennis coaching
    Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Sep 4, 2008
    On-court coaching will be allowed at all women's tournaments next season, apart from the four grand slams, in a move that will not please the ...
    WTA to Feature On-Court Coaching Washington Post
    WTA approves coaching during matches San Francisco Chronicle
    WTA Tour allows on-court coaching next year The Associated Press
    SINDH TODAY - New York Timesall 232 news articles

    Ex-RPI forward Barr may join Union coaching staff
    Schenectady Gazette, NY - 1 hour ago
    Union coach Nate Leaman wouldn’t confirm a US Hockey report late Saturday that Barr join the Dutchmen as an assistant coach, replacing Bill Riga. ...

    Western Illinois sweeps Chicago State, McKay moves up in Western ...
    Western Illinois University Athletics, IL - 5 hours ago
    The win moves head coach Kym McKay up to the No. 3 spot in the Western Illinois coaching records for most wins with 72 (surpassing Jolene Vinson, 1993-98), ...
    Westerwinds move to 1-1 in weekend tournament play Western Illinois University Athletics
    all 6 news articles

    Washington Post

    Beavers to face coaching legend today
    Statesman Journal, OR - 17 hours ago
    By Gary Horowitz • Statesman Journal It was a moment that speaks to the legend and longevity of Penn State coach Joe Paterno. When Lyle Moevao was asked ...
    Fly Sweep leads to big plays for Rodgers, Beaver offense The Daily Collegian Online
    Saturday in the Pac-10 Arizona Republic
    Big win raises expectations at Penn State GatorBait.net (subscription)
    The Oregonian - OregonLive.com - Pittsburgh Post Gazetteall 342 news articles

    Patriots plan to adjust
    Boston Globe, United States - 20 hours ago
    His name was bandied about for head coaching positions. But in the biggest game of the season, Super Bowl XLII, the symphony of offensive precision the ...
    Patriots Beat: McDaniels is back on the offensive MetroWest Daily News
    Patriots offensive coordinator McDaniels says offense is ahead of ... Providence Journal
    Patriots Josh McDaniels is the man with a plan The Patriot Ledger
    all 10 news articles

    Boston College - Sound Off!
    Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 5 hours ago
    Coaching: This team is extremely mentally tough and that’sa direct result of a mentally tough and confident coaching staff. We are going to be scary good in ...

    Vols football: Cooper earns coaching staff's respect
    Jackson Sun, TN - 17 hours ago
    Cooper began preparing for a bigger role during the Vols' fall camp, but coach Phillip Fulmer was still concerned with his consistency during the offseason. ...

    Woodbridge, Angelique give coaching to young players
    Jakarta Post, Indonesia - 23 hours ago
    Nine-time Wimbledon men's doubles champion Australian Todd Woodbridge and Indonesia's former No. 1 player Angelique Widjaja shared tennis tidbits and ...

    Golden prospect: Van's the man to get Britain back on track
    Independent, UK - 5 hours ago
    I felt we needed a higher level of coaching input across the board and Dave wasn't able to give that." Indeed not. Collins was never an athletics coach or ...
    British athletics ‘in for rude awakening’ Times Online
    all 2 news articles

    USA Boxing national director of coaching Campbell steps down
    ESPN - Sep 5, 2008
    By Dan Rafael Less that two weeks after leading the US Olympic boxing team to its worst performance ever at the Beijing Games, national director of coaching ...
    coaching - Google News


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