Coaching & Mentoring For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2

Switching from Doer to Coach

IN THIS CHAPTER

Contrasting doers versus coaches

Making the change to managing as a coach

Appreciating your changing role

This chapter explains why the switch from doer to leader is important but often difficult. It helps you distinguish between a doer and a coach in everyday practice and how you can begin to make the switch. You may want to return to this chapter to see how you’re doing in making the transition. Pace yourself. It’s natural and too easy to slip back into the doer role.

Managing as a Coach versus as a Doer

Coaching is an approach to management: how you function in the position of a manager. Although different leadership or management styles exist, how managers approach their roles tends to be one of two ways — as a coach or as a doer. The following are descriptions of how the two approaches generally function:

• Coach approach: Managers work to achieve the best operational performance results by developing and maximizing the talents and abilities of employees to their fullest.

  Those who manage as a coach still perform tasks; in fact, many work alongside their staffs doing some of the same duties. Yet those who approach management ...