Do you have a process for coaching people?

If you're not intentional about how you coach, you won't be nearly as effective in developing the people you lead. Here's my 5-step coaching process.

Do you have a process for coaching people?

If you're not intentional about how you coach, you won't be nearly as effective in developing the people you lead. Here's my 5-step coaching process.

1. Observe

Be where the action is and be on the lookout for coachable moments. You'd agree that it would be insane if a football head coach did their coaching from 2nd hand information. I see leaders trying to coach from 2nd hand information all the time. These coaches spend more time being detectives rather than coaches. Be in the team meetings as they wrestle with problems. Be in the sessions where teams are breaking down work. Be in the moments when conflict happens.

2. Teach

Take the time to break down an idea in a way they can understand it. Help the person understand the pieces that go into the idea. If you're working on "people smarts", describe in detail what they are and why they are important. Teaching is about helping people understand the "why" through understanding the "what". The "what" by itself isn't grounding, but the "what" in context of the "why" is powerful.

3. Model

The most practical job of a leader is to model what "good" looks like. If you're challenging something to be better, don't just explain it. Show them what better looks like. It's best if you can show it yourself, but at least bring in examples. It's important for the coach to know what "good" looks like because it's as much as how it feels as being able to explain it. Can you imagine working with a tennis coach who can't demonstrate a good serve?

4. Practice

You can't grow without discipline. After a person has seen it modeled, they need to practice it for themselves. As their leader, create opportunities to put new skills into practice. Don't skip this step. It won't stick without practice. There isn't an easy "change" button. You have to put things into practice. And be sure they practice it the way it was modeled, not the way they think is right. Every great musician had seasons where they copied their influences.

5. Personalize

Once people have practiced the fundamentals, they can make the skill their own. Most people what to personalize knowledge as soon as they learn it, but skipping practice undermines true understanding. You have to practice your golf swing before you develop a feel for the swing. Developing a feel for the swing is real confidence. This is the step where they can make an impact beyond the point you coached them to.

The main objection I get about this process is that it "isn't scalable". The process isn't scalable in terms of "reaching" more people with your time, but the outcomes are. Effective coaching gets multiplied by those you coach. This is how coaching is scalable. It's slower in the beginning, but compound interest is the result.

As a leader of people, focus on being effective. A process like this will help you be more effective and therefore a better coach.