A Manager’s Guide to Coaching

About the Author

Brian Emerson is a certified coach and founder of Riverstone Endeavors, an organizational-development firm. He has partnered with clients like PBS and the Natural Resources Defense Council, helping leaders maximize their employees' potential. Anne Loehr, also a certified coach, has managed successful hotels and "green" businesses across Europe, Africa, and the United States for over 15 years. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in coaching and leadership development.

Main Idea

The main idea of A Manager’s Guide to Coaching is to provide managers with practical tools and strategies to effectively coach their employees, enhancing their skills, motivation, and overall performance. Emerson and Loehr emphasize the importance of focusing on attitude, alongside aptitude and available resources, to drive success.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Success Equation
3. Coaching Essentials
4. The Coaching Process
5. Coaching Questions
6. The W.I.N. B.I.G. Coaching Formula
7. The Tenets of Coaching
8. Conclusion

Introduction

In the introduction, Emerson and Loehr highlight the growing need for effective coaching in today's organizations. They stress that to remain competitive, companies must develop their employees' skills and attitudes at the same pace as their business evolves. The authors argue that coaching is not just a managerial task but a vital component for organizational growth.

Managers often face the challenge of not having enough time or knowledge to coach effectively. Emerson and Loehr address this gap by providing a step-by-step guide that is clear, practical, and straightforward. They emphasize the role of attitude in the success equation, stating that while aptitude and resources are important, attitude is the keystone. This book aims to equip managers with the skills to develop their employees' attitudes and, in turn, their overall performance.

The Success Equation

The Success Equation outlined in the book is Aptitude + Attitude + Available Resources = Level of Success. While aptitude and resources are often emphasized, attitude is deemed the most crucial element. A positive attitude can compensate for deficiencies in other areas, driving higher performance and success.

"Attitude is the keystone. As managers, we see the need to focus on Aptitude and Available Resources; managers are often willing to train people in new skills or throw more money at the problem." — Brian Emerson & Anne Loehr

Emerson and Loehr provide a detailed analysis of the success equation: