Nine Coaching Tips for Conversations with Your Team

It’s essential for leaders to know how to navigate difficult conversations with their teams. As a leader, you can never be too careful when it comes to sensitive discussions. Effective coaching is a way to show your team that you care, even during tough conversations.

Our recent webinar, “Coaching Skills to Bring Out the Best in You and Your Team,” discusses critical aspects of coaching, such as your team’s dynamic, recognizing the individuals on your team, and how to hold coaching conversations.

Below, we note some vital coaching tips that leaders can implement to help their teams succeed.
 

Know your audience.

Your employees are not the same. Change the message based on whom you are talking to so that it’s received correctly.
 

Be quick.

Address issues when they arise rather than waiting.
 

Keep it to the facts.

It’s important to address the issue – not the individual.
 

Speak the truth in love.

When you speak the truth, remember to be compassionate when discussing the issue while keeping the facts in the conversation.
 

Seek clarity.

Engage your employee in the discussion by learning their thought process through the situation being addressed.
 

Keep it private.

Don’t discuss difficult conversations in front of their peers.
 

Show respect.

Never lower your professional standards, even if someone else lowers theirs.
 

Assume the best.

A struggling employee doesn’t equal a bad person. Even if they are not a great fit for your team, they may be a perfect fit for another. 
 

Your audience is larger than you think.

How you handle a situation with one employee can impact other team members. Be mindful of how other employees perceive your interactions as it may unintentionally modify their behavior and work performance. 
 
If you couldn’t watch the live webinar, watch it on-demand to hear the complete discussion on how to hold coaching conversations to build your leadership coaching skills and strengthen your team.