Coaching Skills for Managers
Build a culture of ownership on your team
Davenport University's Coaching Skills for Managers, offered through IPEx, is designed to help you set clear expectations, hand responsibility back to your employees instead of carrying it for them, and coach through conflict and high-stakes conversations[cite: 5]. This course combines two interactive half-day sessions filled with hands-on activities, role plays, and real-world practice[cite: 5].
Designed for managers, supervisors, and team leads at any level, this program equips you to strengthen relationships while significantly raising performance[cite: 5]. You will walk away with the practical tools needed to build a true culture of ownership on your team[cite: 5].
Key Takeaways:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Utilize the Cycle of Accountability to set clear goals and ensure follow-through[cite: 5].
- Transition employees from a reactive to a proactive approach focused on ownership and solutions[cite: 5].
- Effectively navigate emotional or high-stakes performance discussions[cite: 5].
- Use coaching techniques to create a culture of continuous improvement[cite: 5].
Program Outline:
Session 1: Leadership, Accountability & Creating Ownership
Discover why managers matter and how to establish a strong foundation of accountability[cite: 5].
- Define accountability as a personal choice to demonstrate ownership, not a tool for blame[cite: 5].
- Master the four-stage Accountability Cycle by front-loading expectations and eliminating ambiguity[cite: 5].
- Set clear expectations using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relates, Time-bound) and check for shared understanding[cite: 5].
- Avoid "The Manager's Trap" by learning how fixing problems for employees actually destroys accountability[cite: 5].
- Understand what taking ownership looks like, explore seven ways leaders encourage it, and learn to assess progress through goals, 1-on-1s, and prompt, constructive feedback[cite: 5].
Session 2: Navigating Friction, Coaching & Crucial Conversations
Equip yourself with the frameworks to handle conflict healthily and transition into an effective coach[cite: 5].
- Reframe conflict (understanding rock walls vs. smoke detectors) and use a four-step scripting tool to confront without blaming[cite: 5].
- Make the critical transition from confrontation to coaching using the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options/Obstacles, Way Forward)[cite: 5].
- Practice empathetic communication by moving past pretend and selective listening to engaged listening—hearing facts and feelings without rushing to solve[cite: 5].
- Navigate crucial conversations by filling the "Pool of Shared Meaning" and making it safe with mutual purpose and respect[cite: 5].
- Create a Start, Stop, Continue action plan, including committing to hand one responsibility ("monkey") back to your team tomorrow[cite: 5].
Who Should Attend?
This program is ideally designed for managers, supervisors, and team leads at any level who want to empower their people, reduce personal burnout by distributing responsibility, and elevate team performance through effective coaching and communication[cite: 5].