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Thinking and Acting
Like a Coach
Coaching subordinates isn’t an addition to a man-
ager’s job; it’s an integral part of it.
—George S. Odiorne
Father of Management by Objectives
The definition of “boss” begins to take shape in most of us
long before we get to the job market. It starts with “father” and
“mother,” then progresses to “teacher,” “principal,” and
“coach.” It may eventually include “professor,” “scoutmas-
ter,” or “drill instructor.” By the time we get to the work
world, most of what we know about “bossing” has been
shaped by people on whom we were dependent and times
when someone else had close to complete control over our im-
mediate actions and longer term destiny. Small wonder that
“boss” for most employees is a four-letter word!
From ...