Workplace Coaching Times: A Conversation Host

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If you are a leader who conducts one-on-ones, this article is for you. As we know, creating a positive environment can help set the stage for fruitful dialogue. Good vibes, good talk. When you host a dinner party or have a guest at your home, do you strive to make it an amazing experience? Why not do the same for your team members?

• Do they want to say yes to your one-on-one invites?

• Does the atmosphere you provide lead to progress? Is it warm and inviting, or is it awkward?

• Do your team members think you want to be there, or does it appear to them that you’re just going through the motions so you can get back to your emails?

Below are tips for creating a setting that is focused, relaxed and allows for free-flowing feedback. Some of these suggestions may seem uber simple and obvious, but sometimes we slip into poor habits because we are no longer hosting. We have become reluctant guests at our own party.

Remember, we are the leader—we are the hosts—and our guests deserve our attention and an amazing experience.

ProTips

#1: Get up to greet people when they show up for your meeting. Good hosts answer the door.

#2: Stop what you are doing. Power down your PC, place your phone face down and silence your alerts. For some people, not having the phone in their hand is a form of separation anxiety. Break the cycle and put down the distraction demon! This will show you are focused on your engagement, not what is happening elsewhere. When you have guests at home, hopefully you don’t start reading the newspaper or mindlessly scrolling social media mid-convo. Yikes! That would be weird.

#3: Don’t sit behind your desk. That can be perceived as a power move. You don’t have a throne in your house, do you? Thrones are cool, but you don’t need one in your office. If you don’t have a table and chairs in your office for these types of engagements, pick a cool, non-boring, neutral place or take a walk outside.

#4: Ask if you can take written notes. It’s polite to ask. Please don’t use your laptop. If you do, your team member may think you are also reading emails and notifications, which we know you are. C’mon, who do you think you’re fooling? Busted.

#5: Check in. As the conversation progresses, ask your team member how they feel it’s going. Is there anything else they need? At your gatherings, you check in with your guests. Do it here, too!

#6: Time to give thanks! When it’s time for the one-on-one to end, break out a genuine thank you for their time and company, just like you would if someone was leaving your home after a great evening. Provide them with a gift. The gift could be many different things, such as appreciation, recognition or constructive positive feedback.

There are many other things you can do to create a comfortable setting for the one-on-ones you conduct. The big idea here is that there are basic things you can do to create the inviting and positive environment your team member deserves. Remember, you are the leader—you are the host.

DAVE STEVENS is the Senior Director of Coaching and Development at Inpro. He is deeply passionate about soft skills and leadership development. Since transitioning from a successful sales career in 2011, he has thrived in the content creation and coaching/facilitation space. As both a teacher and practitioner of servant leadership, Dave firmly believes this philosophy can transform organizations and contribute to a better world. Happily married with two children, Dave proudly describes himself as the world's biggest Rush fan. He holds a BA in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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Keep an eye out for our next issue on April 1st, with more articles related to workplace coaching. Sneak peek at the titles and contributors:

• Beyond Management: How Top Sales Leaders Drive Real Results by Mike Carroll

• Nature vs. Nurture Vol 2 by Jane Roberts

• How a Chief of Staff Drives Strategic Leaders in the Executive Suite by Anne Marie Otanez

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The Workplace Coaching Times is a free publication created by Tim Hagen from Progress Coaching. See a list of previous issues here: