Performance Coaching is an action-oriented process which concentrates on supporting  the manager to reach his/her performance goals and to discover more effective leadership skills. The coach challenges the manager to:

•  build his/her leadership capacity;
•  stay focused on results;
•  understand the link/importance of balancing goals
     and behaviors
•  be in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals.

Requirements for a coach

1.  Understands the change process;
2.  Has managerial experience;
3.  Approaches the coaching assignment from a systems
      perspective – micro to macro: the manager and his/her
      team; the manager and other teams; students; faculty;
      the manager and his/her understanding of the external
      environment which impacts the manager’s work;
4.  Has backbone and heart - tough on results; tougher on
      behaviors to achieve those results;
5.  Speaks with candor and honesty;
6.  Invests emotionally while maintaining objectivity;
7.  Uses a consultative approach to coaching (appreciates
      the manager’s abilities and knowledge and makes the
      most of them). Does not do the manager’s job;
8.  Accepts accountability for delivering results.

Finding the right coach

1.  Work experience
      –  number of years coaching (at least 5)
      –  managerial experience (at least 5)
      –  most successful managerial assignment; what made
            it successful

2.  Coaching style (looking for a collaborative partnership)
      –  sample assignments
      –  most successful assignment - learnings
      –  process/approach used
      –  evidence used to measure success
      –  who do they perceive as their client (you or the manager)
      –  how do they handle those dynamics

3. Global view
      –  what do they perceive to be the number one issue
           facing managers today
      –  most frequent coaching challenges