6 questions for better coaching

Marshall Goldsmith is an executive coach who has used this 6 question process for strategy and business coaching and has found success with 6 out of 6 CEOs. He believes this process will help you to do a better job in providing clarity, coaching, feedback, and recognition.

Start by having a 1:1 open, two-way dialogue with each of your direct reports every 2-3 months, asking 6 basic questions:

1. Where are we going?
   
   
2. Have a 2-way dialogue with your direct report
   E.g. as your manager this is where our organisation is going. Where do you think we should be going?
   
   
3. Where are you going?
   E.g. Here is where I see your area going? Where do you see your area going?
   
   
4. What do you think you are doing well?
   As a manager say this is where I see your part of the business doing well? Where do you think you are doing well? What are you most proud of? By asking these types of questions you can learn things as a leader you didn’t know.
   
   
5. What are some suggestions for improvement?
   As a leader, say here are some suggestions that might help you move forward. Ask, if you were your coach for you, what advice would you give? Normally their ideas on how to coach themselves are better!
   
   
6. How can I help you?
   
   
7.  What suggestions or ideas do you have for me to help me be a better leader for you?

Mutual responsibility is the key to making this work. Set up this process by saying you will go through these questions once every 2-3 months. However, set the expectation that your direct rapport is to reach out and ask for help or feedback in between this time.