How can you use your project management experience to coach others?

Why Coach Others? Coaching is a method of education and advancement that entails providing assistance to an individual in attaining a particular objective, resolving a predicament, or improving their performance. As an experienced project manager, you possess a wealth of knowledge, expertise, experience and perspectives that you can impart to others to aid them in achieving success in their projects and careers. Coaching others can also be advantageous to you, as it can enhance your self-assurance, communication, and leadership abilities, as well as broaden your network and reputation.

“Why coach others?" Well, think about it this way: Is it even fun to grow alone? When you're excelling as a Project Manager, it's vital to guide the up-and-coming talents by sharing your experiences, lessons, and how you tackled challenges. The reason behind all this isn't just personal gain; it's about contributing to a better working world. And as rightly pointed out, it also boosts your own confidence. Confidence is an intrinsic quality that can't be gained by simply puffing up your chest; it comes from empowering others and making a positive impact in their lives.

As a project manager the responsibility is to manage both the technical and people side of the change. As a project manager one can coach and benefit the team in several ways including - PM can coach on planning including creating project plans, timelines, resource allocation etc - PM encourages collaboration thereby opening channels for clear communication. - PM helps the team members in proper time management by helping them prioritise tasks. - PM teaches teams to be flexible and adapt to changing project requirements.

Imagine standing at the base of a mountain, its peak obscured by clouds. This mountain represents your goals, ambitions, and the things you dream of achieving. What you need is a guide, a mentor, a coach. Just as the mountain climber braves the elements, you too face challenges. Self-doubt, procrastination, fear of failure - these are the harsh winds that buffet you, trying to throw you off your path. Step into the unknown, the unexplored, the untapped potential within you. Welcome to the world of a coaching journey.

There are several reasons, I suppose. The first one can be sharing knowledge and expertise. Because coaching allows individuals to help others learn and grow in a particular area. It can be fulfilling to see others succeed and achieve their goals with the guidance and support provided. The second one is personal growth. I think coaching others can also contribute to personal growth and development. It requires individuals to reflect on their own experiences, skills, and perspectives, which can lead to self-discovery and a deeper understanding of oneself.

Alright, let's flip the script here. We've long been told to seek out coaching opportunities, to swoop in when we sense the slightest need. But what if the best coaching moments aren't when someone's struggling or openly asking? Maybe, just maybe, real coaching happens when we step back, give individuals the space to falter, learn, and grow organically. Not every challenge needs our sage advice; sometimes, silent observation is the loudest support. And this notion of always needing permission? Real growth isn’t about hand-holding; it's about resilience in the face of adversity. Let’s not water down coaching to mere moments of hand-raising. Let it be more profound, nuanced, and hands-off.

An example I have seen in organizations embracing talent development is that coaching is taken very seriously and there is actually documents to fill and sign. Coaching activities are registered, all calls , meetings as well as objectives and advances . Whenever the person is not willing to continue with the activity , the coaching stops . For experienced leaders like me , the coaching have connected me with people, earned their trust and developed their curiosity while celebrate them, helped them become new leaders, guide them into embracing the innovation and complete critical valuable projects as prove of their success. Coaching is very helpful when someone in your team is having challenges with daily execution or assigned project.

The best lesson I ever had was from my father whilst growing up. Whenever I asked him to do something for me, whether it be fixing a toy, changing a lightbulb to fitting a new gearbox in my car, he would always answer "You can figure it out". This approach has helped me grow so much in my development that there isn't a lot that I can't just figure out. It's allowed me to excel in lateral thinking and be able to solve complex problems simply. He'd always be there if I had questions, but ultimately - I had to figure it out. I use this approach when coaching and mentoring and have had fantastic results that have forged strong relationships with those I've worked with.

Coaching opportunities come in many shapes and forms. While the traditional ones are to volunteer yourself as a mentor in a specific domain. Many orgs, have this process and this ensures the mentee are looking for coaching. I also see value observing informal opportunities during daily work. I recently provided feedback to presentation given at work. It was well received and this led to them enquiring further and asking to be coached for this

Everyone needs coaching. But not everyone is open to coaching. A good coach uses probing questions and active listening. Determine if someone recognizes their issues and their level of openness to help. Then determine if you are the right person to provide the support. The best coaches understand that their style is best when delivered in the proper context.

When coaching others, it is essential to set clear expectations, actively listen, give support, provide motivation, and be patient. It is a process that requires time to see results, so it's essential to celebrate successes along the way.

The GROW model provides a concise framework for coaching. Start with the Goal, set a precise aim for a session, and ensure both coach and coachee have a focused direction. Reality is a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, to address challenges and available resources. In the Options phase, explore strategies. It's collaborative brainstorming, weighing potential paths to the established Goal, and empowering the coachee in decision-making. Will transition these options into actionable steps. It emphasizes commitment, planning for potential challenges, and setting support mechanisms. Schedule a follow-up to hold the coachee accountable, provide an avenue for reflection, and allow adjustments.

Alright, lean in because you're on the money here. The GROW model? Spot on. It's a concise, yet robust structure that's stood the test of time in the coaching world. It's not just about listening, it’s about guiding the coachee through a journey: from the realm of aspirations (Goal) to the often sobering ground of current circumstances (Reality), exploring pathways (Options), and then lighting that fire of commitment (Will). This isn't just coaching; it's a strategy session for life. And that follow-up? Gold. Because accountability seals the deal. Keep running with this — you're in the zone.

Nothing to add here. Right to the point. All is said. But I’m told to add more. Depending of the environment of your coaching, there’s different ways and/or techniques to be used. But whatever is the environment, you must establish a relationship with the participants. Even as lecturer with a large audience, you need to capture people’s interest, attention and make them laughing.

How to structure a coaching session? Firstly, you should set an agenda (10-15 minutes). Along with goal settings, action planning, follow-up and next steps and document and reflect. The specific structure and duration of a coaching session can vary based on individual needs and the nature of the coaching relationship. Flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities for a successful coach.

For coaching to be impactful, it is important that the person being coached has an outline of what they expect out of it - even if the outline is vague. What I have learned that coaching works best when the recipient takes ownership.

One way is to help others develop to become a really good coach. It's no good just paying lip service to the idea. Coaches need to be able to show empathy and be good at building relationships, including building rapport. Good coaches also have strong communication skills.

Show genuine interest in the purpose of the other person (use open ended questions to get elaborations), build a relationship of trust and respect, and equip them with the right tools so that they themselves find the answers to their challenges.

As an IT project manager, you can use effective coaching skills to help your team members: 1. Develop their skills and knowledge: Ask questions that help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, and then provide resources and support to help them improve. 2. Solve problems: Help them to identify the root cause of the problem, and then brainstorm solutions together. 3. Overcome challenges: Encourage them to stay positive and resilient, and offer them guidance and support. By using effective coaching skills, you can help your team members become more successful in their roles and contribute to the success of your projects.

All I can say is to make the person feel comfortable and give them a change to speak back, make it two-way communication! Nothing works better than this. You have to put yourself in the mentee's shoes and instead of making it more fancy and confusing, just make it simple and give practical life examples as much as you can!

Break big goals into smaller steps. Celebrate small wins. Identify strengths to build on. Use positive language. Be energetic and encouraging. Focus on how building new skills will make work easier. Start small with easy, low-risk goals. heck in frequently on progress and obstacles. Use accountability tools like action plans. Actively listen and restate to ensure understanding. Avoid assumptions.

I believe that’s where your abilities as a leader come into picture. The importance of empathy comes into play here. As a coach, you will mostly teach from your perspective, what worked best for you. But all the coaches need to understand what worked for them may not necessarily work for their mentees. If you sit in your mentees shoes, you’ll realise what’s the best fit for your mentee. It maybe something you never experienced but you can still be a guiding beacon to the mentee, helping him/her avoid falling in the common pitfalls. It also fosters a more inclusive and supportive environment where each person's growth and development are considered.

Being a leader means wearing different hats, and empathy is a key one. Coaches often teach from their own playbook, but it's essential to recognize that what's a slam dunk for you might not be the same for your mentees. So, try on their shoes, and you'll uncover the winning strategy.

Patience is key in coaching. Everyone progresses differently, and it's vital to offer steady support rather than pushing too hard. Trust is foundational; ensuring the coachee feels safe to share openly. This trust is built through genuine empathy and confidentiality. Both coach and coachee should be self-aware, recognizing biases and areas for growth. This mutual understanding enhances the effectiveness of the coaching journey.

I firmly believe coaching is a two-way approach. You need to trust the coach fully to understand the idea behind what they are trying to convey, and the coach also needs to understand your circumstances to guide you correctly. Using real-life examples helps understand concepts better and stays forever. The coach should focus on picking these examples and use them where they see fit. This way of learning has fostered an environment where everyone thrives and grows. The more collaborative environment is, the more is your chances to learn from each other. Clear win-win

When coaching, draw upon your experience breaking down large initiatives into concrete, manageable tasks and setting measurable milestones. Share how you prioritize what is most important and urgent. Demonstrate tools and techniques for organization and time management that keep projects on track. Share lessons learned from challenges you’ve faced and how you rallied your team through setbacks or changing circumstances beyond your control. Your real-world experiences dealing with risk and uncertainty can build confidence. Instill an optimism and growth mindset. Inspire others to see abilities that can be continually developed, not fixed limitations. Offer advice for professional development.

Having developed over 200 projects learned a few things. One of the most important is to create a trust relationship with your team. Make sure they feel comfortable to ask for help and support. Coaching comes naturally once we have this trusted relationship. Nobody knows everything, but I’m always available to help figure out new things as we encounter them. And, if you are not finding new challenges in projects (uncharted territory), perhaps you are not innovating as much as possible (with innovations comes uncertainty, they are kind of bond together).

Utilizing project management experience to coach others is a means of imparting the art of delivering project value and benefits. As a PMP-certified professional, I firmly believe in sharing the wealth of knowledge cultivated over the years. Coaching extends beyond technical proficiency; it's about nurturing strategic thinkers capable of aligning project strategies, managing stakeholders, and ensuring the realization of project value and benefits. Moreover, it entails imparting insights on proactively identifying and mitigating issues and risks, fostering a holistic approach to project management. This journey empowers the next generation of project managers to strategically steer projects towards delivering tangible value & benefits.

Ensure you understand the difference between directing, consulting, mentoring, and coaching. There's subtle differences between each one but they are important. - Here's what you need to do - Here's what you should do - Here's what I think you could do - What do you think you should do

As a project manager, you lead the project team to be goal-oriented, take ownership, set timeliness and utilize their expertise to ensure increased quality.... all required for career growth