What is coaching?

Coaching is a technique of employee development in which a superior guides and instructs a trainee as a coach. The coach or the counsellor in consultation with the employee sets mutually agreed targets and then suggests the ways in which those employees can achieve those targets. He also evaluates the progress of the trainee periodically and suggests required changes in performance and behaviour.

In this method the coach needs to be a good communicator, a patient listener and an able motivator. Coaching works the best if the coach provides a model with which a trainee can identify. The coach should also accept complete responsibility and provide timely feedback to the trainee regarding his improvement. The advantages of coaching includes that it is a method of learning by doing and it provides a chance to an executive to coach his subordinates even if there is no development programme operational in the organisation at that time. It is also helpful in the orientation of new executives and for developing their operative skills. It allows frequent interaction between employees and their boss.