Imagine you had been asked to take over as coach for champion soccer team.  Regarless of how much you may or may not know about soccer as a coach, you'd be responsible for helping each player identify their weaknesses, set goals to overcome those weaknesses, and tap into peak performance abilities.  This individual management is a great deal of responsibilty, but it's what makes champion teams.   Since each player is unique, chances are they may require unique strength building exercises to tap into their best. Some managers avoid coaching simply because they don't know how. A few of the more popular excuses include:

1.    Don't have the time
2.    Fear of a failed session
3.    Lack of confidence in doing it “right”
4.    Employee doesn't ask for help
5.    Employees hide from their incompetence
6.    Afraid employee won't respond
7.    Fear more severe measures may be needed
8.    Hopes the situation will resolve itself
9.    Feels awkward
10.  Too busy putting out fires
11.  Employee may get mad or defensive
12.  Could reveal incompetence by managers
13.  Could communicate having hired the “wrong” person

 OPPORTUNITIES FOR COACHING   ...............

There are many opportunities for coaching throughout the day. Go through the following list, marking M for motivational or D for developmental. Don’t worry about right or wrong answers. Just start thinking about your role in the following situations. When coaching is effective, it both motivates and develops employees. Add your own at the bottom of the list.