I frequently find myself reviewing coaching plans these days. Some people think of them as the first step towards discipline in the ongoing performance management process. I like to think of them as a blueprint for success.
My dad was a bricklayer, then a stone mason. I remember many a night that he would have blueprints spread out on our kitchen table. He knew what needed to be done, of course. He could take a pile of rocks, look at their unique colors, sizes and shapes and assemble them into a beautiful stone fireplace, archway, or building facade.
However, as a skilled craftsman, he also knew that the work he was doing needed to fit into the larger plan. For the final structure to be a thing of architectural beauty, he needed to frequently check the progress of the work against the plan and make sure that he and the crew was staying on course.
Think of your team the same way. If something – or someone – goes awry, it can have a significant ripple effect, affecting the very foundations of the business; customer service and integrity.
As you deliver coaching plans, be sure the building blocks are carefully laid. Continuously check the progress of your team member against the plan. Certainly, an individual’s performance is ultimately their responsibility. However, giving them a firm foundation to build upon? Checking their development against the plan? That’s ours.
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Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.
