Research Paper: How to use Coaching to become a SUPER Manager

A Research Paper created by Catarina Brandao
(Transition Coaching, CHINA)

Before I became a Coach, I worked in the executive recruitment industry. Prior to that, I held different management roles in a multinational corporation for 14 years. At that time, my boss used to tell me that, ‘I was an excellent coach to my team.’ I didn’t fully grasp the meaning of this until much later, when, in the midst of a career transition, I hired a coach. It was such a powerful experience for me that later, through a surprising twist of events, it inspired me to get certified to become a coach myself.

In studying the theory and through the practice of coaching, I have gained perspective on how these core skills can be extremely beneficial for managers. Going further, these coaching skills can and should be harnessed by managers to not only improve their performance, but that of their team. As a Manager, it is essential that your team perform well. As a ‘Super Manager’, your team’s performance can be more than that: it can be outstanding.

But first, let’s take a look at the core skills of coaching and then we can address how to apply them in a management role.

What does a coach do?

A lot of things, but in a nutshell, a coach can help you to go from ‘good’ to ‘great’.

Coaching has become a buzzword, often misinterpreted and often misunderstood, so the following definition is one I like to use:

Coaching is about performing at your best through the (individual and private) assistance of someone who will challenge, stimulate and guide you to keep growing.

Gerard O’Donovan

Some basic principles for the coach:

• A commitment to support the individual non‐judgemental approach
• Fostering a relationship which is built on truth, openness and trust integrity
• The coachee is responsible for the results they are creating responsibility
• The coachee is capable of much better results be a strong support

A coach works with their client to help them achieve goals. By listening and questioning their client, a coach will identify gaps between the client’s reality and vision, clarify values and beliefs that may be helping or hindering them and encourage, motivate and instill confidence to achieve their goals.

In the corporate world, coaching is focused on performance and results, i.e. improving the performance of the individual in a work environment and producing tangible positive results that can be seen throughout the workplace.

Coaching helps increase self‐awareness on strengths and weaknesses, which can enable people to achieve their career goals in the long run.