Identify the need for coaching:
Colleagues may require coaching on existing systems and
equipment, coaching on new systems and equipment, or
remedial coaching, such as refreshing a person’s skills with
the aim of improving their current observable performance.
There may be a number of reasons staff need to be coached in a particular skill or procedure,
including:
Ø Staff induction – more and more establishments have recognised the value and
importance of induction and orientation programs and they are now relatively
commonplace; when a new employee joins the team, coaching can be a critical
element of their initial introduction to the organisation. Staff who are inducted may
need initial skills training in certain areas, because they have no experience at all
with a specific task, or they may require remedial training because their existing
experience is not at the standard required by the new venue.
Ø Where such training is not provided, the new staff can easily feel ignored and
frustrated, leading to high levels of staff discontent and staff turnover; given that
recruiting of staff is a very time-consuming and expensive exercise, it makes sound
business sense to ensure that the appropriate levels of coaching are delivered at
this early stage of a person’s history with their new employer.
Ø A request from a colleague – where staff feel comfortable with management and
their position within the venue, a colleague may identify his or her own needs for
coaching. Those providing coaching need to recognise that staff may feel very
anxious about disclosing their need for coaching; such staff can feel vulnerable in
‘admitting’ that their performance is below the required level.