In this increasingly dynamic world, there is growing pressure on organisations and their members. It is also a world that requires organisational members to bring their best selves to the workplace. The gap between the organisation’s expectations of its staff and the reality is often wide. The reason is simple – many managers/leaders have inherited the traditional command-and-control style of leadership from their predecessors. They assume this leadership style will work in a context that is drastically different from the kind that gave rise to it. The influx of a new generation of organisational members complicates matters as they cannot function effectively with the traditional style of leadership. The implication is that today’s leaders need to learn new tricks to drive dynamic and innovative thinking and the problem-solving orientation that is necessary to sustain the organisation’s competitive advantage in today’s world of work.

The Manager as Coach programme will equip today’s leaders/managers with the requisite capabilities to develop and lead a dynamic team. The International Coach Federation defines coaching as a thought-provoking partnership between the coach and the learner, aimed at inspiring the latter to maximise their personal and professional potential. Hence, the acquisition of essential coaching skills will equip participants with the capability to get the best from their team members.

Programme outline

Module 1 (week 1) – Fundamentals of Coaching

• Video Lecture 1: Coaching essentials – what it is and what it is not
• Video Lecture 2: The science of coaching – why coaching works
• Video Lecture 3: Essential attributes of a leader as coach
• Discussion topic: What is the most important thing you have learnt this week? Why did you find it particularly relevant or interesting?
• Articles / readings: 1. The Leader as Coach; 2. Leading from Behind
• End of module quiz 

Module 2 (week 2) – The Coaching Process

• Video Lecture 1: Essential elements of the coaching process (part a)
• Video Lecture 2: Essential elements of the coaching process (part b)
• Discussion topic: Which element of the coaching process do you think you will find most challenging and why? What could you do to make it easier on you? 
• End of module quiz 

Module 3 (week 3) – Coaching tools and techniques

• Video Lectures: Coaching tools and techniques
• Assignment: Search the internet for coaching tools different from those that were discussed in this week’s video
• Discussion topic: Name one tool that you could use for one or more of your team members right now. What would it be useful for?

Module 4 (week 4) – Live session

• Live coaching demonstration
• (Two participants may volunteer to be coached prior to the module, the session will be recorded and uploaded. We will discuss the recordings)

Key Learning Outcome

• Appreciate the connection between coaching and performance
• Apply the relevant tools and techniques to facilitate your team’s development
• Engender trusting relationships with your team members
• Delegate responsibilities more confidently