Skills and Qualities of a Coach

What is coaching?
The main purpose of a coach is to work with individuals to improve their performance in a
specific area or skill.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

-Identifies development needs.

-Explains the coaching process to coachees, line managers and other stakeholders.

-Assists with the setting of learning goals and action planning.

-Uses a range of learning experiences to improve performance.

-Provides feedback for the coachee, based upon observed behaviour.

-Challenges the coachee’s perception of his or her abilities.

-Helps the coachee to identify problems and possible routes to a solution.

-Supports the evaluation process by encouraging the coachee to assess progress against
his or her learning goals.

-Helps the coachee to motivate self to achieve his or her learning goals.
What is skill?
Are these skills gained through experience as a coach or is it already instilled in the coach and is not
needed to be learned or experienced?

Skill defined in Merriam Webster Dictionary is :

1) the ability to use one’s knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance

2) A learned power of doing something competently: a developed aptitude or ability

In the likeness of the meaning in Merriam Webster, it is gained or learned and developed as an a
ability.
 What are skills of a good coach?
 Communicate effectively, which includes listening (being open)
 Provide impartial, timely and constructive feedback
 Be a good planner
 Be analytical
 Create and maintain a safe coaching environment
 Possession of an enquiring mind in their coaching practice, and be
motivated to increase
 Their coaching skill and knowledge
Skills of a Coach Continued
Required skills/abilities

-Planning and time management;

-Analytical interpretation;
-Negotiation;
-Interpersonal skills;
-Building rapport
-Giving Feedback
-Active listening
-Asking questions/gaining information
-Observation;
-Facilitation;
-Standard and goal setting
-Helping others learn
-Evaluation and review
What is qualities?
Qualities according to Merriam Webster in the context of being a coach:

1) A distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone or something.

In a sense it would be the personal qualities of a person or in this context the qualities of being a good
coach.
What is a Qualities of a good coach?
 Be enthusiastic and show enjoyment of coaching
 Be self-confident, consistent, friendly and fair
 Have a sense of humor and make things fun!
 Dress appropriately
 Be a role model for the participants
 Maintain discipline throughout the session
 Be well organized
 Include all participants, regardless of ability, disability, age ,gender and ethic
background
Required qualities/attitudes
-Supportive, empathetic; patient;

-Positive attitude; respectful; trustworthy;

-Honest;

-Belief in people’s potential; confident;

-Objective and non-judgmental; sensitive;

-Interested;

-Perceptive;

-Self-aware;

-Attentive;

-Retentive.
Required knowledge:
Coaches require some knowledge of the
subject that they will be coaching and
specifically need to understand the
expectations of performance; they do
not need to be subject and/or technical
experts. They also need knowledge of
how adults learn and the theories of
learning, along with the process of
coaching.