Learning at work can help employees tackle unique challenges, spark new ideas, build confidence, and keep their skills relevant. It’s always been an essential part of employee engagement, but in the current climate, its relevance is even more prominent.
What’s in this employee coaching plan template?
This employee coaching template can help further your employees’ personal and professional growth.
In here, you’ll find a breakdown of the areas where coaching is required, and steps to create a game plan to support improvement.
To get started, share the document with your employee and ask them to fill it out. Then book in a meeting and walk through each section to begin the coaching experience.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is relevant as at 24 February 2022, and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd ABN (11 160 047 709) (Employment Hero). The views expressed herein are general information only and are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this article.
What is an employee coaching plan?
An employee coaching plan is a structured strategy that will help you support your team members on their way to success.
Creating this kind of plan can help your employees align their coaching needs with their future goals, and gives you as a manager a clear understanding of how you will give guidance. It’s a document that you can refer to time and time again as your employees work towards their objectives.
Looking for a way to expand on your employees’ goals? Download our free goal setting template.
You can also explore our Manager’s Guide to Workforce Planning, which provides insights on creating a flexible workforce plan for long-term success.
How does employee coaching help with professional development?
The two things are intertwined. As you coach your employees, you will be helping them grow as a professional.
It’s a process of constant improvement and development. Sometimes the actions taken through coaching will constitute direct learning opportunities (the coach teaches a new skill), and sometimes they will operate as an ongoing casual knowledge exchange. Either way, through the coaching process your employees will grow as professionals.
What’s the difference between coaching and mentorship? Learn more about the role of mentorship programs in the workplace.
Read more: Running effective 1:1s
How do you write an employee coaching plan?
Well, this template is your first stop.
When you create an employee coaching plan, you need structure – otherwise it’s easy for the plan to come apart.
Noting down a well-formatted plan can help you properly understand the motivations behind coaching, the reason for coaching, the company alignment of coaching, ideal outcomes and then the first steps that both the manager and employee need to take.
Key elements of a coaching plan
So what’s inside this template, and why? Let’s cover the key elements.
The Why
It’s important to have a transparent understanding of why you and your employee are undertaking this coaching plan. Motivations can stem from experiencing difficulties at work, to building up to a promotion to moving to a new department.
It doesn’t matter whether your employee is spurred by failures or successes, the most important thing is that there’s now an opportunity for professional and personal growth.
The game plan
Now you need to get down to the nitty gritty of the process.
Outline up to six clear steps on how your employee will achieve their objectives, with your coaching assistance. Try to keep these steps to actionable and specific items which are easy to follow and structured in an order which makes sense.
The timeline
What will happen, when?
Once you have the steps to take, decide when you will take them. Creating deadlines can keep you and your employees on track with their coaching progress, and make sure that no part of the plan is lost in the flurry of everyday working life.
What is the best way to coach an employee?
There’s lots of different strategies when it comes to employee coaching, and there’s no right way to do it, per se.
However, it’s important to remember the difference between ‘coaching’ and ‘telling’ while coaching.
When managers are coaching an employee, they want to help them achieve their goals. That often results in seeking solutions themselves when an employee comes to them with a roadblock or issue. But this defeats the purpose of coaching.
If you’re coaching a swimmer, you’re not going to jump in the pool when they get fatigued and finish their race. You’re going to keep cheering them on from the sidelines, and help them identify strategies that keep them swimming.
The same goes for professional coaching. When your employee hits a roadblock, encourage them to seek their own solutions and talk through their ideas with them in a one-on-one meeting. This could include asking open-ended questions like;
- “What do you think your options are for removing this roadblock?”
- “What is the main issue that is causing this roadblock?”
- “Are there possible ways we could pivot to avoid this roadblock?”
- “What are three vastly different solutions that you think could work to resolve this issue?”
Allowing your employees to come to their own solutions, with your encouragement and feedback, can be incredibly empowering. It’s a great way to build confidence and bolster future success; and that’s what coaching is all about.
More resources and templates for professional growth
Looking for more helpful resources to help your employees grow? Here are a few of our favourites!
Performance review template
We’ve created these performance review templates for managers, to help guide conversations with your direct reports.
Curious about how HR software can make performance reviews a breeze? Explore our performance management solutions.
Performance improvement plan template
Motivate employees to get back on track if their performance takes a turn for the worse with this performance improvement plan template.
Professional development plan template
The secret to getting your team to step up to the next level is to have a professional development plan… and implement it. Get started by using this template.
Career progression plan template
This career development plan template, suitable for junior to mid-level employees, is designed to help employees begin thinking about their career goals and the steps they need to advance their professional growth.
With another year almost done and dusted, there’s never been a better time to get ready for the year ahead.
Download this coaching template now.
