Coaching Skills for People Leaders

I was approached to create an eLearning training for newly-hired managers that covered the fundamental aspects of coaching, specifically including using the GROW model to coach team members. 

Three key objectives were identified and I built the course around these:

1. For managers to know what coaching is and how it differs from managing.
2. For managers to understand the key skills of coaching.
3. For managers to understand the GROW model of coaching.

Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe XD, Canva, Google Docs, Google Slides, MindMeister, Snagit

My subject matter expert (SME) for this training was an experienced HR professional. During our initial meeting, our main topic of conversation was how many managers use a direct approach (managing) towards their staff but neglect the coaching side, whether because they aren't sure how to play the role of coach effectively, or because they don't understand the value of the benefits that coaching can have.

We created the course objectives together and this helped me to map out the course content through my own research and further discussions with my SME. The scope for the eLearning was decided as:

• What coaching actually is and how it differs from managing
• Exploring the benefits that effective coaching can have on the person being coached, the coach themselves, and the company
• Understanding the attributes needed to be a great coach
• What the GROW coaching model is and what type of questions might be used at each stage of the model

The best method of delivery for the course was decided to be direct instruction, both visual and audio, and practical activities where learners could apply the skills. It was also decided that a scenario-based training would be a great way for learners to practically apply their skills but that this would be out of scope for this learning course.

Once I was sure of the scope and key learning objectives, I set about making a mind map of everything I wanted to include in the course. I then used this to write a text-based storyboard, followed by visual mockups of what the finished project might look like, which I incorporated into a visual storyboard to take to my SME.