Play the role of a new manager who is engaging in development activities for your team. As a new manager, you are being asked to provide evidence to your senior leader of the types of activities you are engaging in to further develop individuals on your team—and the team as a whole. In line with that request, you will complete three activities and create three documents that you will present to your manager. In Part 1 this week, you will develop and submit a coaching preparation and strategy document that you will use to conduct your required simulation to be completed ideally sometime later this week or early in Week 6. In Part 2, you will use the simulation platform to conduct a one-on-one coaching session with an employee, reflect on this experience as it relates to your individual development as a manager and as a coach, and submit a coaching plan (for individual performance management). Finally, in Part 3, you will research and develop a team charter for a team you know well.
By demonstrating skills in these areas, you will develop foundational competence in helping both individuals and teams achieve results and stay motivated and engaged.
incorporates the Business Skill for Good coaching and mentoring. Understanding and demonstrating the principles, benefits, and best practices of coaching and mentoring promotes strong interpersonal, social, and people skills, improves one’s management and leadership skills, and encourages teamwork and collaboration. In today's dynamic work environment, coaching and mentoring have emerged as a crucial employability skill that can significantly enhance one's career success and job performance.
Full Answer Section
2. Coaching Session Goal (SMART Goal)
My primary goal for this coaching session with Alex is to:
"By the end of our discussion, Alex will identify at least one specific, actionable strategy to proactively communicate project updates and potential challenges to key stakeholders (project managers, department leads) at least twice a week for his current active projects, starting immediately after this session and sustained over the next month."
- S (Specific): Identify specific, actionable strategy; proactive communication; project updates/challenges; key stakeholders.
- M (Measurable): At least one strategy; twice a week; current active projects; sustained over the next month.
- A (Achievable): This is a skill development goal, not a performance correction for major errors. Alex's intelligence suggests he can implement a strategy.
- R (Relevant): Proactive communication is crucial for project efficiency, stakeholder satisfaction, and Alex's professional growth towards senior/leadership roles.
- T (Time-bound): "Starting immediately after this session and sustained over the next month."
3. Coaching Model & Approach
I plan to utilize the GROW model as the framework for this coaching session. This model is well-suited for a developmental coaching conversation as it empowers the coachee to find their own solutions rather than being told what to do, fostering greater ownership and commitment.
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G (Goal): I will start by clearly stating the purpose of the session – a developmental conversation focusing on communication. I will then invite Alex to articulate his understanding of the importance of proactive stakeholder communication in his role and for his career progression.
- Example Questions: "Alex, thanks for meeting. I wanted to discuss an area for your professional growth that I believe will significantly enhance your impact here. From your perspective, what role does proactive communication play in successful project delivery and in your development as a Senior Data Analyst?" "What would success look like for you in terms of stakeholder communication over the next few months?"
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R (Reality): We will explore the current situation. I will share my observations regarding his excellent technical work and the opportunity for growth in communication. I will ask Alex to describe his current practices for communicating project updates and challenges.
- Example Questions: "Tell me about your current approach to keeping stakeholders informed. How often do you typically reach out with updates, or when do you usually find yourself communicating about potential issues?" "What challenges, if any, do you face in maintaining consistent proactive communication with project managers or other leads?" "Can you think of a recent project where more proactive communication might have smoothed things over?"
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O (Options): This is where we brainstorm potential strategies. I will encourage Alex to generate ideas for how he could more proactively communicate. My role will be to facilitate, listen actively, and encourage creative thinking. I may offer a few suggestions if he struggles, but the emphasis will be on his ownership.
- Example Questions: "Given what we've discussed, what are some different ways you could keep stakeholders informed about your progress, even when things are going smoothly?" "If you hit a roadblock, what are some immediate steps you could take to flag it early?" "Are there any tools or methods that might make this easier for you?" "Consider what has worked for you in the past, or what you've seen others do effectively."
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W (Will/Way Forward): We will conclude by committing to specific actions. Alex will select the most viable strategy(ies) and articulate how he plans to implement them. We will establish clear next steps, timelines, and how we will measure progress.
- Example Questions: "So, out of these ideas, what one or two specific actions will you commit to trying over the next month?" "When will you start implementing this?" "How will you measure if it's working?" "How can I support you in this?" "When should we check back in to discuss your progress?"
4. Supporting the Business Skill for Good: Coaching and Mentoring
This coaching session directly incorporates the "Business Skill for Good" of coaching and mentoring by:
- Promoting Strong Interpersonal, Social, and People Skills: The one-on-one format requires active listening, empathy, clear communication, and trust-building – all critical interpersonal skills for both the manager and the employee.
- Improving Management and Leadership Skills: For me, as a new manager, this exercise is a direct application of my developing coaching abilities. It hones my capacity to guide, empower, and develop my team members, moving beyond simply assigning tasks. This proactive developmental approach is a hallmark of effective leadership.
- Encouraging Teamwork and Collaboration: By improving Alex's proactive communication, the goal is to enhance project efficiency and reduce last-minute issues, directly benefiting collaboration with project managers and other team members who rely on his updates. Better individual communication leads to smoother team dynamics.
- Enhancing Career Success and Job Performance: For Alex, developing proactive communication will not only improve his current job performance but also equip him with a vital skill for career advancement, particularly into roles requiring more coordination and leadership. This demonstrates how coaching is an investment in an employee's long-term professional journey.
5. Logistics for Simulation
- Platform: [Specify the simulation platform, e.g., "Walden University Simulation Platform"]
- Target Date for Simulation: [Suggest a date within Week 5 or early Week 6, e.g., "Wednesday, June 18, 2025" or "Monday, June 23, 2025"]
- Duration: Anticipate 15-20 minutes for the core coaching conversation
Sample Answer
Part 1: Coaching Preparation and Strategy Document
To: Senior Leader From: [Your Name/New Manager] Date: June 15, 2025 Subject: Coaching Preparation and Strategy for Individual Development
This document outlines my preparation and strategic approach for conducting a one-on-one coaching session with a team member, which serves as a foundational activity for individual development within our team. This session aims to foster continuous improvement, enhance performance, and strengthen engagement.
1. Employee Selection & Context
- Employee Name (Fictional for this document): Alex Chen
- Role: Senior Data Analyst
- Context for Coaching: Alex is a highly skilled and technically proficient Senior Data Analyst. He consistently delivers high-quality analytical work and is a strong individual contributor. However, I've observed that Alex tends to work very independently, sometimes leading to less proactive communication with stakeholders on project progress or potential roadblocks. This can occasionally result in last-minute rushes or minor misalignments in expectations. While his technical output is excellent, there's an opportunity to develop his proactive communication and stakeholder management skills to enhance project efficiency and team collaboration, which will also support his future career growth into more leadership-oriented roles.