Coaching is a powerful and cost-effective training intervention
that can take place formally or informally in the workplace. It can
be used to:
- provide training to employees on a one-to-one basis by means of
guided demonstrations, job shadowing, and practicums
- support a post-course strategy in which employees practice recently
learned skills and knowledge
- support self-directed learning plans
- enhance employee performance and growth
BrainWave Solutions can provide your organization with
the training and tools to implement successful coaching programs for
both post-training practices and human resource development.
We design performance- and outcomes-based coaching strategies and plans,
either as stand-alone training interventions or as part of a larger,
integrated training solution.
We can also design customized training in coaching skills for novice
coaches.
The immediate benefit of a post-training coaching program
is improved employee performance of the tasks addressed during training.
Coaching fosters mastery of newly acquired skills through
the support and guidance of an exemplary performer. For this reason,
and where resources are available, BrainWave may suggest inclusion of
a structured suite of post-course activities to ensure learning transfer
and skills retention. This ensure that employees:
- learn how to perform real-world tasks in their daily work environment
- receive performance enhancement tips and techniques that come only
from experience
Coaching is the best support strategy for self-directed
learning activities, including self-instruction, on-the-job training,
and self-paced instruction. Coaches provide learners with:
- answers to questions not addressed in the reference and learning
materials
- modelling of appropriate responses and behaviours
- opportunities for discussion of complex or ambiguous issues
- guidance in further reading or research
- demonstrations of, and guidance in, specific tasks and procedures
- feedback on performance in knowledge tests and practices
- motivation and support during the learning process
Coaching delivers major benefits when employed as a non-training
strategy for performance enhancement, offering an effective way to discover
and nurture employee interests, strengths, and commitment.
Because coaching is a one-on-one activity, it can be used
to maximize the development of a company’s intellectual capital
by supporting and encouraging each employee’s process of self-discovery
and professional development.
Other benefits of a coaching strategy include:
- improved relations between employees and management
- employee performance that exceeds company standards
- increased buy-in to company mission and goals by employees (who
feel they are active participants in decision-making about their roles
in, and contributions to, the enterprise)
- increased willingness to participate in change and improvement drives
A coaching strategy may be a particularly viable alternative
when:
- an organization needs to transfer valuable skills and knowledge
from master performers to new hires or junior staff
- training will be delivered on a one-to-one basis
- training includes a post-course strategy
- training is by means of self-directed learning
Coaching is a skilled activity that requires training, experience,
and sensitivity to be done well. The most effective coaches will be
exemplary performers with strong interpersonal skills. Potential coaches
may be drawn from among an employee's colleagues, managers, or supervisory
staff.
Using exemplary performers as coaches:
- maximizes transfer of valuable, undocumented real-world expertise
to junior staff
- reduces the need for additional staff to manage certain training
activities
- replaces costly classroom training with modularized, self-directed
just-in-time training
Coaching requires considerable investment of time and
resources, and we realize that it may not be economically feasible for
you to implement a full-fledged coaching program.
It may be possible, however, to create microcoaching and
microtraining activities that provide employees
with essential guidance on an as-needed and just-in-time basis without
draining the valuable resources of master performers and managers.
BrainWave team members have decades of experience in the design and
delivery of a wide range of training solutions, including coaching
programs.
We have frequently built in coaching programs as part of the train-the-trainer
component of large training projects.
We have designed courseware and coaching job aids for novice coaches
in heavy industry, telecommunications, and public administration sectors.
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