Marty Brounstein

Organizations thrive when employees are given the opportunity and supported to do their best work. To inspire and build commitment from your employees, you, as a manager, need to fully commit to prioritizing coaching and mentoring as part of your job — not something you intend to do or as time allows. This Cheat Sheet helps you get started.

Effective communications involves listening as well as speaking. When you speak to a group, how you deliver your message plays a part in how it’s received. In the workplace, effective communication techniques can help foster positive relationships — just be sure to avoid some communication pitfalls so that you don’t undermine your good work.

Mentoring employees is a large part of business coaching — and knowing how not to mentor will save you headaches down the road. Many managers fall into an all-knowing, all-telling, and come-to-the rescue mode of operation, especially doer types. Unfortunately, these managers become burdened individuals with little time to do their own work.

Delegating, as a coaching tool, is the act of assigning and entrusting assignments and responsibilities to others. Delegating isn't about giving people tasks to do. Tasks are the simple and short-term items of work to be done. Delegating is about having staff take on juicy or meaningful work — projects, duties, and other important assignments.

In the business world, managing as a coach is a necessity not only for your success, but also for your survival. Business coaching is about helping employees become more effective — and supporting and involving your employees in the process. Coaching influences employee adaptability, productivity, and retention.

When you speak to a crowd, communicating effectively means that your delivery is positive and confident so that your message comes across effectively. Use the tips in the following list to convey your points: Speak up so others can easily hear you, especially in group situations. Make your message as concise as possible; wordiness is not needed or wanted.

Effective communication strategies can help you build strong working relationships with clients and customers, team members, managers, and internal customers. Use the tips in the following list: Respond to requests by emphasizing what you can do to help meet them. Follow through and do what you say you’ll do.

Performance feedback can be given two ways: through constructive feedback or through praise and criticism. Don't fall into the trap of giving praise and criticism on employee performance. Constructive feedback is information-specific, issue-focused, and based on observations. It comes in two varieties: Praise and criticism are both personal judgments about a performance effort or outcome, with praise being a favorable judgment and criticism, an unfavorable judgment.

One of the responsibilities of business coaches is to give performance feedback to employees. Performance feedback can be given two ways: through constructive feedback or through praise and criticism. Don't fall into the trap of giving praise and criticism on employee performance. Constructive feedback is information-specific, issue-focused, and based on observations.