Here's How to Get 10:1 Value from Your 1:1 Coaching

I'd like to start this week's CORE Bites with a reminder that the term "Manager" is simply a title—it does not guarantee success on its own. However, "Coaching" is an action—and effective actions ALWAYS lead to better results.

I spend a significant amount of time with managers and supervisors inside diverse organizations. One of my key observations is that the single most important managerial competency that separates highly effective managers and supervisors from average ones is the quality of their 1:1 coaching.

Effective 1:1 coaching has a transformational impact on the individuals being coached ... and on business results.

While each of you must focus on job-specific and/or function-specific elements during your 1:1 coaching sessions, the HVAs listed below can be used—when appropriate—to magnify the long-term impact of your coaching, and positively influence your team's morale and engagement. [Note: You may want to bring a copy of these questions to every coaching session because you never know when a perfect opportunity will arise.]

High Value Activity (HVA) Action Steps

This week (starting today), look for those occasions when you might be able to use one (or more) of these questions to magnify the outcome from your 1:1 coaching:

Increasing Feedback Receptivity:

• How do you prefer to receive feedback and constructive criticism?
• Do you feel you're getting enough feedback on the work you're doing? (Why/Why not?)
• If I could improve one thing about how I provide feedback to you, what would it be?

Being Seen as a Supportive Manager:

• How can I best support you?
• Are there any roadblocks that are getting in the way of your work?
• What could I do to help you enjoy your work more?
• Are there any specific situations you'd like my help with?
• I would like to grow as well. What's one thing I could do better as a manager? (Please be honest.)

Career Growth and Breadth/Depth Learning:

• Is there enough 'stretch' in your work to keep you learning and growing?
• What skills would you like to develop right now?
• What area of the organization would you like to learn more about?
• Who in the organization would you like to learn from, and what do you want to learn from him or her?

[BONUS] Question You Should Ask at the End of EVERY 1:1 Coaching Session:

• What's Your ONE? What one High Value Activity can you do to make progress on, or make a difference in, what we talked about today?