Coaching Should Not Be a Bad Word

In some companies, "coaching" is the first step in progressive discipline. In these companies, they have it wrong. Coaching is not a disciplinary step.

"Coaching is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance... Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns."

That was the definition found on Wikipedia. I chose this reference because it is more than an academic perspective; it is crowdsourced and agreed on by the masses, and with no mention of discipline, progressive or otherwise.

I am hired to coach leaders on their safety, performance, and cultural impact. I help them perform at their best or lead their teams to perform with excellence. It is a strategic and thought-out financial investment; I don't coach for free.

Coaching is not a tool for discipline, nor should this phrase be used. Yet, many companies and consultants that advise the first step of progressive discipline are called coaching, verbal or written notes. Constant and excessive use of coaching to address disciplinary-related offensives creates shame and guilt throughout the organization and does not promote healthy self-growth to improve one's performance. Coaching is helping your people perform to the best of their ability, every time, everywhere.

For every bit of verbal feedback you give someone on their behavior, be sure you provide just as many and just as often, and preferably more, for their desirable behavior. If coaching is viewed as a bad or dirty word in your organization, you are doing it wrong.

"The interesting thing about coaching is that you have to trouble the comfortable, and comfort the troubled." - Ric Charlesworth

"All coaching is, is taking a player where he can't take himself." - Bill McCartney

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Some companies teach their supervisors to be safety coaches. Excellence-focused organizations enable this skill for all their people-leaders and influencers. Coaching is critical to organizational performance and the most effective way to inspire your team. Coaching aims to help leaders and employees perform at their best — every time, everywhere. Everyone can be a coach, from an executive to influential peers. Coaching is the leadership style focused on getting the best out of people. Contact us to discuss customizing a Leadership Safety Coaching Workshop for your organization and your people leaders.

Shawn M. Galloway is the CEO of the global consultancy ProAct Safety. With over twenty years of experience in safety systems, strategy, culture, leadership, and employee engagement, he serves as a trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. He is the author of eight books and has multiple regular columns in leading magazines, with over 400 articles and 100 videos to his credit. He also created the first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence, which has over 800 episodes.

Shawn's passion, dedication, influence, and significant contributions to the field of safety have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades from prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Safety Professionals, National Safety Council, EHS Today Magazine, and ISHN Magazine. He is also an esteemed Avetta Distinguished Fellow.