Coaching upwards

We’re back! Coaching Café’s most popular topic: Coaching upwards

It’s nice to be back with you! We pick up our Coaching Café this week. Importantly, refreshed after a bit of a break to tackle our most popular topic: coaching upwards.

We often get asked during our coaching programs: can I use these techniques to coach my manager or my Boss? And it’s not uncommon that a participant will set their goal for the program as: getting more tools to coach upwards.

So, we asked Open Door’s Resident HR specialist Paula-Jones Hunt to lead the Coaching Café this week. Furthermore, to share her nearly 20-years of experience with coaching team members to have upwards conversations with their manager.

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What is coaching upwards?

We think of coaching upwards as: coaching anyone who is higher than you in the organisational structure. This could be a superior or someone higher in rank; perhaps a supervisor in the hierarchy. It also relates to higher status, experience or power.

Why is it so important?

Coaching upwards is important because it builds relationships. It ensures that you are aligned to the work objectives. Most importantly, that you are understanding the way forward, and not making assumptions.

Furthermore, it creates a collaborative culture. And a workplace that is open to two-way feedback and continuous improvement.

When might you initiate coaching upwards?

You might be coaching upwards when a manager asks you for feedback. Furthermore, when they need you as a sounding board. Alternatively, you might need to influence, resolve an issue or need to clarify an intent. Regardless, you will be seeking to improve two-way feedback.

The 5 key things you need to remember when coaching upwards

Paula introduces the 5 P’s of Coaching Upwards during the webinar. The 5 P’s were designed by Air Commodore Ian Scott of the Australian Air Force. Importantly, this was in response to us asking Air Commodore Ian Scott his opinion about the practicalities of coaching upwards. Particularly, the things that people need to be aware of. And we have adapted them slightly during this conversation.

Learning from the Open Door Alumni every week

Whether you need to do a bit of coaching upwards or you are coaching staff to have upwards conversations, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.

Without a doubt, one of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged that the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read this blog, come together every Friday. To explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills. It’s only 30 minutes. However, it is a highlight of our week. Particularly, to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.

This year we are super excited to feature Open Door Alumni, who are both experts and authors. So please contact us if you would like to be featured on the Coaching Café.

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.