There has been always a constant requirement of an extraordinary sales coach in the work place. He would be the one who would have a great impact on the development of all the team members’ skills since he would be able to recognize the potential of individual members.
He is supposed to be the right person to assist them in actualizing their complete potential. It is also true that the team members feel more comfortable working under a manager who believes in inspiring and coaching rather than directing and dictating from his ivory tower.
According to Seattle Sales Training sessions, the art of coaching an employee is a critical step as it develops a culture which helps support the customer experience. Coaching also nurtures an environment wherein employees find that the coaching session actually benefits them since they will be in a position to raise questions while practicing skills and setting personal goals to measure the path of their progress. It is therefore necessary to be an excellent coach. It is difficult to make out a stencil of what a good coach must be since individual coaches evolve in their own individual ways. Coaches will therefore have their individual strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, there are some typical qualities that all good coaches must possess. The various points being discussed are only guidelines. However, the list does indeed give one a method by which one can compare oneself to see in what all ways one needs to improve oneself. Let’s take a brief look into the ingredients that shape up an extraordinary coach.
Awareness and Confidence
The good coach is always aware how effective his coaching style is and how his sessions are being received by the members of his team. This is among the top points that an effective coach must have, that is self-awareness. The other associated issue concerns his awareness about problem areas and a confidence to take these head on. He must not shy away from making the changes that are necessary in order to reach mission goals.
Empathy
The good coach is like a mentor and not a boss. He treats his team members as his colleagues and encourages them so that they can give their best while discharging their duties. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of all his employees and this helps him in developing his ability to apply this knowledge for maximizing productivity.
Planning
A coaching session needs to be prepared with complete information and examples. It must contain ideas that can be thrown up for further discussion. The session itself must be well announced and dealt with professionally.
The coach must make his expectation quite clear at the outset and the purpose of the session must be well understood by all the employees. Further, in order to ensure that the session is successful it is necessary for the coach to leave adequate time at the end of the session for discussion of all relevant issues as well as various apprehensions the employees may have. It is incumbent on the coach to hear out all ideas and suggestions from the employees. Here it must be clearly understood that the coach serves the employees and not vice versa.
Execution
In order that the plan is executed properly, the coach must ensure that all resources are provided to the team members along with the relevant authority and training besides any support that might be required. Of course, the end of the session does not bring an end to the coaching. On the contrary, the coach may like to offer guidance to the team members should they be in need of further support. Finally, it is possible that things do not turn out as they were expected. In such a case the good coach will always be proactive and help define any alternative option.
