To coach upwards or not?

To coach upwards or not? That is the question

‘These tools are really great, but can you use the tools to coach upwards?’ It’s a question that we get asked often during our coaching programs. Furthermore, it always comes with a sense of hesitation or concern.

Of course, we say that you can coach upwards, downwards and sidewards. However, how feasible is that? Should I coach upwards? Can I coach upwards? Do these tools work upwards? And what if you are in a hierarchical organisation?

Listen to the Coaching Cafe podcasts

Learning from the experience

To answer these questions we turn to a special guest and member of the Open Door Alumni: Group Captain Forster (Foz) Breckenridge, Air Force. With over 40 years of service the Air Force; and 20 of those years spent in Command or Director positions, what a privilege it is to learn from Foz’s experience. Not only that, but he is also a great coach and mentor. Furthermore, he achieved his Certificate IV in Workplace in Business Coaching back in 2017. In addition, he has been instrumental in the role out of coaching at Air Force.

What is coaching upwards?

We are talking about coaching anyone who holds a higher rank or a superior. This could include someone with more experience, status or power. We can refer to this person as the Boss, or manager or stakeholder. It is typically someone we need to influence.

Why is coaching upwards important?

Essentially coaching upwards is a way of building trust. Furthermore, it builds relationships and promotes collaboration. Coaching upwards enables you to understand the Boss’s intention. In addition to seek clarification. And in this way, it promotes communication across the hierarchy. This in turn can lead to a more open and innovative workplace.

Learning from the experience

What is coaching upwards?

The 5 P’s of Coaching Upwards

It was through our work with Air Force, particularly in delivering the Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching that we started discussing coaching upwards. It was particularly because we were being asked the ‘does this work upwards?’ questions. So we turned to the highest ranking Officer in the room to answer the questions. And from there, Air Commodore Ian Scott developed the 5 P’s of Coaching Upwards.

In the Café, Foz explains the 5 P’s of Coaching Upwards. Furthermore, key coaching questions that you can ask. This includes:

making sure you have a PLAN;
being clear about the PURPOSE;
doing some PRACTISE of the conversation;
PICKING the place and time; and having a PLAN B.
We also are now including a 6^th P: PERSON – understanding the person, personality, and preferences of the Boss.
Because this influences how you PITCH the conversation.

Get out and about with the Coaching Café Podcast and learn at the same time

We really are privileged to be able to draw on the experience of such senior people in our Alumni. Not only that, to receive the comments and experience from the group on the line.

Therefore, really encourage you to listen to the podcast. Why not get out for a walk or exercise or do the chores around the house. Listen on the train or in the car. Most importantly enjoy your coaching.

FREE Coaching Cafe Webinar

Every week our team of experts present “Coaching Cafe” webinar with topics for Managers, Leaders, Business Owners, and everyone who wants to be a better workplace coach, leading their teams to higher productivity, better outcomes and a happier, healthier workplace.

Join us this Friday for FREE. Register now.

Our programs

Coaching Culture Certification

Advanced Coaching Certification

Certificate IV in Workplace & Business Coaching

Coaching course Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching (10834NAT)

Diploma of Organisational Coaching

Leader as Coach

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