The Coaching Handbook: An Action Kit for Trainers and Managers [Paperback]

Coaching has become the most popular technique in the world of training and a key tool in staff development. This Coaching Handbook provides all the tools for harnessing this technique, offering a step-by-step approach, case studies and 20 detailed practical exercises.

Coaching is proving to be one of the most popular and most effective techniques in the field of learning and development. Managers are constantly being reminded that coaching is an important part of their role in getting the best from staff, while trainers are increasingly being called upon to coach individuals in a variety of aspects of both work and life. This one-stop book aims to provide everything readers need to be able to harness this technique. The first part of the book provides a detailed and clearly structured step-by-step approach, which should help anyone to develop their ability to coach others. Importantly however, as well as helping to develop the skills of coaching, the authors provide valuable guidance on: where to start when coaching a colleague; how long the coaching will take; and which methods should be employed and when. Part 2 provides a range of real-life case studies from a variety of commercial and non-commercial settings that will help you to decide how coaching can best be tailored to your own organization. The final part of the book contains detailed practical exercises that can be used in a variety of settings.

Sara Thorpe is Head of Training and Development for a financial services organization.

Jackie Clifford is Training Manager for an independent training/HR consultancy.

Part 1: The coaching process

1. What is coaching?

Development needs; Development -- core values and beliefs; Training;

Mentoring; Counselling; Line management; Benefits of coaching;

Summary

2. Learning theories

Theory of competence; Kolb's learning cycle; Barriers to learning; Personal working styles; Areas and levels of learning (Bloom's taxonomy)

3. Introducing the coaching model

4. Job description, skills and qualities of a coach

5. Preparing to coach

Preparing yourself; Preparing the coaching environment; Preparing the coachee

6. Stage 1: Clarifying coaching needs and goals

What you do; What could go wrong; Skills required

7. Stage 2: Agreeing specific development needs

What you do; What could go wrong; Skills required

8. Stage 3: Formulating a detailed plan for coaching

What you do; What could go wrong; Skills required

9. Stage 4: Doing a task or activity

What you do; What could go wrong; Skills required

10 . Stage 5: Reviewing activities and planning improved performance

What you do; What could go wrong; Skills required

11. Stage 6: Ending the coaching relationship

What you do; What could go wrong; Skills required

12. Third-party initiated coaching

Establishing the coaching contract

13. Skills

Analytical skills; Assertiveness; Conflict management; Facilitation; Influencing; Listening; Observation; Planning and prioritizing; Presenting ideas and information; Questioning; Rapport building; Using and interpreting non-verbal communication

Part 2: Case studies

Coaching a partner in a national law firm; The Scout Association; Coaching for sales managers and their teams; Metropolitan Police recruits; Coaching a youth football team; Coaching two general managers; Coaching on customer service/other one-to-one communication; Coaching different individuals in different areas; Coaching an operational manager to take on a specialist HR role; Coaching to expand the skills of an experienced trainer; Coaching a manager and a novice yacht crew; Developing effective interpersonal skills in training; One-day breakthrough coaching; Coachee in football; Being coached in project management; Being coached on specific beliefs/behaviour; Receiving on-the-job coaching; Life coaching; Being coached to take on a management role

Part 3: Activities and exercises

Map your journey; Highs and lows; Spider charts; Force field analysis; Guided imagery; Unfinished sentences; Tuning in to body language; Move your watch; Give it back; Skills checklist; SWOT analysis; 'What if...' questions; Best in the world; Cats and refrigerators; Evaluating progress; Review technique; My frustration journal; Positive affirmation; Personality strengths; Edward de Bono's six thinking hats; Reframing; Using research; Questions, questions, questions; A problem-solving process; Questionnaires; Demonstrations; Role play; Case study; In-tray exercises