Answer the questions located below the opening case. OPENING CASE Consider the f

Question

Answer the questions located below the opening case. OPENING CASE Consider the following scenario: you work for a large retail organization, and you have been asked to serve as a coach to the following two individuals. Both have been successful in their careers to this point, but with both individuals, issues have been raised concerning their interper- sonal skills. There is concern on the part of top management in the organization that both need to change their style of communicating to be effective in their current positions, as well as to advance further in the organization. After you read the two scenarios, consider the questions at the end of the case. Scenario 1: Maria was recently promoted to manage 12 branches of the organization. Prior to this, she had successfully managed other stores for the organization. She perceives herself as enthusiastic, and seeks to be inclusive and democratic in her leadership style. Maria said that her "high energy" style of leadership had always served her ell in the past. However, in conversations with subordinates in her new position, they described her as very directive, and as having little toler- ance for underperformance. When asked about this, Maria seemed surprised, yet she was open to further discussion and interventions to address the issues of how she came across to her subordinates. Scenario 2: Michael is an accomplished middle-level manager in your organization. He is veny good within his functional area, but has been told that he will not be promoted further unless he learns how to manage people more effectively. When you speak with Michael's administrative assis- tant, he complains about Michael's constant sarcasm and insincerity. In speaking with Michael your- self, it seems as if he is not really listening to you as you seek to discuss this issue with him. His facial expressions and body language come across as quite negative. Questions: If you were seeking to coach each of these individuals, where would you begin? What types of actions and activities would you engage in, and why? Are there any communication tools or exercises that you would recommend for either of these individuals? Finally, does it matter whether you are coaching these individuals as their immediate supervisor, or as an outsider (e.g., either as an HRD professional in this organization, or as an outside consultant)?

Explanation / Answer

Coaching is a way to guide an individual and provide him with structured opportunities to acieve his goals as well as manage his surroundings. If I were to coach both the individuals, I would suggest Maria to be a bit tolerant in cases where there is lack of performance because it is not possible that every time there is good performance, She also needs to find out the reason behind underperformance and also needs to direct in that situation, but every time being directive, leads to a situation of pressure and stress for the employees where performance could be adversely affected. Whereas, I would suggest Michael to be a little patient while listening to others so that he could develop a good listening and understanding about the things which are going wrong. Being good at functional areas is important but with that he requires to be more sincere towards his work in order to motivate his subordinates to work with sincerity and work efficiently .

Being a coach I would engage in practice listening skills where I would listen patiently to Maria and her team and Micheal and his subordinates and explain them the reason behind the actions or views of their subordinates and them would suggest ways that will be easy to understand and both can follow those. I would be clear and concise in giving suggestions.

I would suggest both of them to follow ASSERTIVE style of communication which relates to respecting yourself and also views of others by expressing your thoughts in an open way through honesty and directly communicating with people. This one of the best style of communication, which does not always brings positive situation but can help you to achieve through compromise and it also gives you the satisfaction even if you have not achieved better results you have worked hard and have hiben your best. So, both will be suggested to follow assertive style of communication.

Yes, I think it would matter if I coach them as their immediate supervisor because being a part of the organization it would give me a chance to more carefully and effectively look into the matter and then find solution to the problem which would not be possible in case of an outsider as he will only be knowing what is being practiced and will suggest accordingly but as an immediate supervisor I will be more aware of the environment and will also be looking at the overlooked side of the situation.

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