Roles and responsibilities of coaches and coachees

The key roles and responsibilities of a coach include:

  • Setting the right atmosphere for a coaching conversation
  • Building rapport and trust – making the coachee feel comfortable and able to speak openly
  • Helping the coachee work out what they want to achieve and why
  • Helping them work out how they are going to achieve their goals
  • Giving them objective feedback about how they are progressing (in the context of line manager coaching – this may not always be possible or desirable in externally resourced coaching)
  • Helping them gather and manage their own feedback
  • Giving them support and encouragement when they need it
  • Recognising achievements
  • Reviewing the quality of the coaching relationship from time to time

The role of the coachee is to seize the opportunity to learn. Key responsibilities include:

  • Identifying and/or accepting the need for personal change
  • Discussing, and agreeing what they want to achieve and why
  • Committing to change
  • Gathering and reflecting on feedback from others
  • Being open and honest with the coach (and self) about their thoughts and their progress
  • Experimenting to learn
  • Keeping a learning log to track their progress
  • Taking time between coaching sessions to reflect on their learning
  • Reviewing the quality of the coaching relationship from time to time©

    David Clutterbuck. All rights reserved

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