Coaching Tip: The Uncertain Supervisor
Category: Coaching Secrets (CS214)Originally Submitted on 3/1/2000.
Introduction
Many managers have difficulty with direct confrontation or with clarification of poor performance on the part of those they supervise.
The Coaching Tip
Those coaches who work with managers may encounter the client/manager who has supervisees who are not satisfactory, but whose work is not bad enough to justify their being fired.Many managers have great difficulty in addressing what seem to be minor performance issues. It is not unusual for a manager to comment on the problems to other supervisees who are the colleagues of the problem person. Often their intention is to let these workers know that they do understand there is a problem, that the issues do not go unnoticed. However, what may actually result is a concern that "If s/he talks about Joe Smith like that, then perhaps s/he talks about me like that, also. If there's really a problem with Joe, why doesn't the boss talk to Joe?" Morale can be severely damaged, while
Joe may remain serenely unaware that his work is sub-standard.Part of the coach's job is to help the client understand the importance of addressing the problems directly, and immediately, without leaving the employee to believe that all is well until s/he is ambushed by an unsatisfactory annual review.
"What are you doing about it?" "When do you plan to talk to Joe?" "How are you going to address this with Joe?" These are all questions that help the client to see that not addressing the problem is not an option.
About the Submitter
This piece was originally submitted by Diana Robinson, Ph.D., Personal & Business Coach, who can be reached at Diana@ChoiceCoach.com, or visited on the web. Diana Robinson wants you to know: I coach my clients to greater success and to greater enjoyment of life by enhancing their ability to focus on what is truly important to them. To learn more, and/or to subscribe to either/both of my two e-mail free newsletters, please visit my web site. I also offer you the gift of a half-hour of free coaching by phone, with no obligation.
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