Coaching
Coaching is a type of daily training and feedback given to worker by immediate supervisors. It involves a continuous procedure of learning by doing. It can be defined as an informal, unplanned training and growth activity provided by supervisors and peers. In coaching, the supervisor described things and answers questions; he throws light on why things are completed the way they are; conducts various decision making meetings with trainees; he offers a model for trainees to copy; process are agreed upon and the trainee is given sufficient authority to make divisions and even commit mistakes. Certainly, coaching may be a taxing job in that the coach can not possess necessary skills to guide the learner in a systematic way. Sometimes, doing a complete day's work can be more significant than putting the learner on track.
When to use advantageously coaching? Coaching could be put to fine use when:
- an workers demonstrates a new competency
- a worker expresses interest in a different kind of job within the organisation
- a worker seeks feedback
- a worker is expressing low morale, practices or violating company policies or having performance problems
- a worker needs help with a new skill by following a formal training programme. Effective working, clearly, requires patience and communication skills. It involves following:
a. Explaining suitable ways of doing things
b. making clear why actions were taken
c. stating observations precisely
d. offering probable alternatives / suggestions
e. following up