From Good to Great: The Skills and Qualities Workplace Coaches Need

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Coaches aren’t a new thing, especially when it comes to professional learning and development. However, over the last few years, we’ve seen a rising trend in the number of organisations opting for coaching programmes as a way to help their employees learn, develop and grow.

But what makes a good coach and what skills and qualities do they possess? If you’ve asked yourself this question before, then you’re in the right place.

In this article, we will be sharing 7 essential skills and qualities an individual needs to be a successful coach.

1. A Positive and Growth Mindset

An effective coach maintains a positive, optimistic and growth mindset. A good coach inspires and motivates their coachee, and believes in their potential for growth and development. To be an effective coach, instead of correcting mistakes and finding fault, they need to be helping their coachee meet peak performance by helping them improve their productivity. Good coaches within your organisation will encourage a culture of continuous learning and development by supporting employees to overcome obstacles and develop their own mindset to focus on growth and success.

2. Able to See Different Perspectives

A good coach is one that not only can see different situations from various perspectives but can help their coachee also explore fresh perspectives. The key to learning and development is being able to see things from all angles which is why a coach must be able to explore different options. Being able to see things from a different perspective, can make a big difference. By creating a space where new perspectives can be shared, coaches can help foster curiosity and encourage their coachees to share their thoughts and motivations.

3. Trustworthiness

An effective coaching relationship is built on trust. When it comes to professional development, it can be quite a vulnerable topic with the individual exposing their weaknesses and concerns within the workplace. This is why a coach must be trustworthy. A good coach needs to be trusted by their coachee to maintain confidentiality, without the fear of their personal information or the challenges they face being revealed to anyone else in the workplace. Everything that is discussed between a coach and a coachee, needs to stay between them. A coachee needs to trust their coach to act in the best interest of their learning, whilst demonstrating integrity and commitment to the relationship.

4. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a particularly important skill to have as a coach. Emotional intelligence can be described as an individual's ability to recognise, understand and manage their feelings effectively, whilst being able to show empathy for the feelings of others. Emotional intelligence is essential for coaches as they need to be able to relate to the experiences and challenges faced by their coachee, and support and guide them in the right manner. High emotional intelligence allows the coach to better understand how the actions and decisions of the coachee will not only impact them but others around them. Higher levels of emotional intelligence lead to better chances of overcoming challenges and deterring potential problems that may arise, helping the coachee and coach connect on a deeper level.

5. The Ability to Give and Receive Feedback

We all know feedback is key for learning, development and growth, which is why coaches must be able to not only give feedback but also receive it. Coaches who can give constructive feedback are the ones who will make long-lasting changes, in their personal lives and their career. Giving feedback isn’t always easy, but coaches who are skilled in providing feedback that is specific, timely and actionable are the most impactful. A good coach should also be willing to accept feedback, as a way to learn their weaknesses and improve their coaching approach and processes.

6. Communication and Active Listening

Communication and active listening are skills possessed by good coaches. To be a good coach, an individual needs to be able to communicate with both clarity and transparency, not only will this help them build a more trusting relationship with their coachee but also ensure that everyone has clear expectations. Good coaches can convey information and feedback clearly and adapt their communication style to meet the needs and wants of the person they are coaching. Coaches also need to be able to have excellent listening skills, paying attention to what the coachee has to say to evaluate the situation at hand. Good listening skills allow the coach to better understand the problems, needs and aspirations of the coachee.

7. Goal-oriented

Coaches need to be goal-oriented if they want to see their coachees thrive. Coaches need to have the skills to set clear, achievable and well-defined goals, this is often done through techniques like the S.M.A.R.T method. A good coach isn’t just there to help their coachee set goals but also work towards them. Coaches need to provide support and accountability to help their coachees stay focused and motivated when wanting to accomplish their goals. A good coach monitors progress and celebrates the successes of the coachee, pushing their coachee to the next level and setting a roadmap for professional development.

Final Thoughts

Anyone with the right experience can be a coach, but not everyone has the right skills and qualities to be a great one. A positive mindset, ability to see different perspectives, trustworthiness, emotional intelligence, feedback skills, communication and being goal-oriented are just a few of the skills and qualities needed by an individual to be a good coach. The good thing is that these are all things that can be improved through training, practice and commitment. Whilst a coach doesn’t need all of these to make an impact, developing them is a great way to ensure the effective learning and development of the coachee.

If you want to learn more about organisational coaching programmes, book a free demonstration with a member of the PushFar team today.