Coaching our People Up and Leading with Questions

Each direct report needs interaction focusing on accomplishments and the behaviors that they need to make it happen. It is important to have the right kind of conversations so that your folks feel good about the time together. Here are some things to have on your radar screen for those discussions.

1) What does a win look like for you?
2) What are the key issues you are addressing?
3) How can I help you reach your objectives?
4) How does your day layout and how can I help you reach your objectives?
5) What did you accomplish and how successfully did you work your plan?
6) Have each employee assess their performance
7) Provide them with your observation of their behaviors and results
8) Have them review why they achieved those results

There is a need for each individual to have clarity in what we are doing with personal metrics. Have a clear picture of who sets the goals and the level of ownership for hitting them. We each need to have a solid plan for how you get to the objectives. We want to partner with employees that we are working with that need to go to the next level or that might be sliding down a negative performance path. You want to be engaged with them so that we understand where they are and what we need them to do. By realizing that they might need more challenge, or a pat on the back you can help them out of a funk and to the next level. Be sure to utilize questions to gain a solid understanding.

Bob Coulter