Funny to think about isn't it. If you lead a team do you want them thinking of you more as someone who coaches or as a person who manages? The best talent in the world, in any field continues to get coaching no matter how high they climb. They never quit getting additional insight necessary to continue growing. What they get help with is behaviors and discipline and habits.
How do you know when you are managing someone versus coaching them?
Some simple things to ask yourself;
Do you solve problems for them or draw them toward solving the problem?
Are you the expert or a guide?
Do you dispense advice or ask questions and listen?
Who does more of the talking when you interact?
Managing is typically about metrics, reports, asking questions like "did you, are you, when?", and telling.
Coaching is about asking questions related to behaviors and habits, not telling, not advice giving. Many of the best questions begin with the word What. It's about digging to see behind the first response by asking follow up questions. It is about empowering people to make decisions, allowing them to fail, helping them come to a place where they need you less often.
Both coaching and managing have necessity depending on the situation and at different phases in the relationship. One makes more long lasting impact.
Are you more coach or manager? Are the leaders around you coaching or managing? Watch and listen the next time there are challenges to face. The manager tells. The coach asks.
