Last week, we looked at the coachee making a choice about whether they could be totally transparent with the different coaching roles played by their manager, an internal coach or an external coach. But what about those people’s perspectives about whether they feel that they can give the best support and challenge they can?
Coaching roles: Manager as coach’s choices
Some managers may want to coach, and have the skills to coach, but not the capacity. It’s far better for them to realise that at the outset than damage the relationship with the coachee by continually postponing meetings due to client needs for example.
They may also feel that there are things it is best for them not to know, give their performance management responsibilities. So they may decide they are not the right coach for the person for this reason.
And perhaps they just don’t feel skilled enough – or even want to coach.
In any of these cases, they should talk to HR about an internal or external coach.
Coaching roles: Internal coach’s choices
An internal coach will know their own capabilities, and may be able to judge whether they are the right coach for the employee. If not them, perhaps another internal coach.
Maybe the internal coach feels it is best for them as an employee not to coach a person. There are things we can hear as internal coaches that are difficult for us not to process as an employee of the company – and that can lead us to a difficult relationship with our organisation. Of course, we cannot predict what will come up in coaching, so we may end up taking this to supervision as and when it occurs; but if we have an inkling before the contract starts, perhaps best to pass the client to an external coach.
In addition, if we believe we cannot challenge the system enough, because we are a part of it, we should pass the client to another coach. We are sometimes blind to what’s going on in the system, and/or make the same assumptions about the system as our client does – and that will do them and the organisation a disservice if we do not ask how their actions will impact their team, the organisation, society.
Coaching roles: External coach’s choices
There is no back-stop for an external coach, other than another external coach. But if you notice any conflict of interest or a lack of connection, it is important to pass the client to another external coach.
