Summary The aim of any training course in coaching is to equip participants with the skills they will need to be confident and safe in the role, for the particular level, at which they are expected to operate. For most organizations, it is convenient to categorize training programmes as: Given the small number of people, (more…)
For a line manager to return to a team, having been on a short coaching course, and expect them to embrace the idea of being coached is highly optimistic. The typical reaction of a team is passive resistance, because: Hardly surprising that many, if not most, programmes to turn line managers into coaches have a (more…)
In a newly-merged multinational organization, there is typically an urgent need to ensure quality and consistency in talent development – even if the strategy is to continue to operate largely as separate entities within the same group. One of the key areas to examine, and one where it is possible to have a large impact (more…)
The design of effective coaching and mentoring programmes consists of seven key elements: The design, implementation and continual evaluation of programmes are all key stages. Not fully addressing any stage can impact on the overall effectiveness of the programme. Programme aims and purpose Programmes are developed in response a specific need. (more…)
Difference can manifest itself in many ways, from sexual orientation to race and disability, but a common factor is that it is a contributor to inequality and stereotyping in the workplace. Diversity mentoring is a process of open dialogue that aims to achieve both individual and organisational change, through shared understanding and suspending judgement, within (more…)
At the level of international good practice, informal mentoring works best when it is an outcome of formal mentoring. People have a reasonable idea of what is expected of mentor and mentee and are able to avoid major pitfalls, such as dependency or abusive relationships. Among the benefits of informal relationships is that they tend (more…)
The immediate aftermath of a merger poses a number of major challenges. While many of these challenges relate to integration of systems and structures, the people challenges are often the most difficult and long lasting. In particular: Introducing a well-designed mentoring programme for top talent can make radical and positive difference to managing each of (more…)
When a successful female entrepreneur is held up as a role model, is it a good thing or not? There is now so much evidence that women can be as effective (and in some circumstances, such as rural economies in developing countries, considerably more successful in business creation) than men, that the fact we still (more…)
One of the factors that appears to undermine resilience is isolation or loneliness – an issue that comes up time and again in supervision. In our reading and conversations with coaches and mentors, we have identified four types of loneliness: The first and last of these are unhealthy. Even though coaches meet lots of people, (more…)
Narrative coaching is a process that allows coachees to address issues in their present by relating stories from their past. The stories we remember about ourselves have a powerful impact on our values, our beliefs, our assumptions, and our behaviours – and hence on our performance and careers. Narrative coaches are trained to help clients (more…)