HBR Guide to Performance Management (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 6

Coach Your Employees to Close Performance Gaps

Coaching is a powerful way to encourage your employees’ growth and a practical approach for developing new skills. It can also be used to close performance gaps. But coaching—an ongoing learning process in which you help your direct reports build mastery—usually won’t bring about a quick fix. When you need a fast turnaround or immediate results, feedback is your best bet. When an employee is driven to improve and wants your help tackling a problem or building mastery, however, coaching is a rewarding and effective option.

Coaching is a supportive rather than a directive approach that relies on asking questions. According to executive coach Ed Batista, coaching is “asking questions that ...