How to Coach Employees When You're a Manager

Just because you're a manager doesn't automatically mean you're good at coaching.

But the reality is, coaching is exactly what your people need from you. Employees aren't looking for someone who just hands down tasks or fixes their mistakes. They want and need a leader who helps them grow.

If you care about coaching, this week is for you. Let’s get after it.

What it means:

If you were a swimming coach, would you coach Michael Phelps the same way you coach John Eades? Of course not, one is 5’7 and struggles in the pool, and the other is 6’5, who flies in the water.

Coaching isn't one-size-fits-all. Every team member has unique strengths, goals, and obstacles. Your job is to understand these individual differences and tailor your coaching accordingly. Invest personally in each person on your team today, and you'll help unlock their highest potential tomorrow.

What it means:

It's tempting to jump in and do things yourself, especially when you're busy or stressed. But your job isn't to carry all the work, it's to coach and empower your team to deliver. While there is nothing wrong with having your workload to help a team win, it can’t be doing a team member’s job for them.

Your responsibility shifts from personal delivery to helping your people deliver their best. When you coach your team, performance goes up, stress goes down, and everyone wins.

What it means:

When people come to you with a problem, the instinct is to offer quick solutions. Resist that urge. You know the answer, and it is easier to solve it immediately. However, that doesn’t do anything for someone’s development.

Instead, ask questions and listen carefully. Curiosity builds trust, helps your team develop problem-solving skills, and encourages them to think independently. Slow down your advice-giving and speed up your listening. Your team members will be better in the long term for it.

Use your gifts,

John Eades

CEO | LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure

P.S. Need a quick blueprint to lead your team?
We have a brand-new Accelerate Leadership Blueprint, built around the six key modules of the full Accelerate Leadership program: Talent, Culture, Execution, Relationships, Coaching, and Accountability.

Inside, you’ll get six principles and six practical tools to help you lead yourself and others with clarity and purpose. Get the blueprint for just $17. [Download it here.]

How to Coach Employees When You’re a Manager (Blog)

The Optimistic Outlook (Newsletter)

The Optimistic Outlook is a daily newsletter designed to remind you to focus on the bright side, one day at a time. Join 775+ leaders who are already improving their Optimistic Outlook.

The Optimistic Outlook is now available wherever you listen to podcasts. Channel your inner John Eades and make your kids listen to it, then read it aloud to work on their minds and communication skills.

Accelerate Leadership Blueprint

Leading a team isn’t easy, and you shouldn’t have to figure it out alone.

The Accelerate Leadership Blueprint gives you six proven leadership principles and six practical tools to help you lead with clarity, build trust, and drive performance.

Inside, you’ll get a proven framework covering:

• Talent

• Culture

• Execution

• Relationships

• Coaching

• Accountability

If you’re serious about becoming the leader your team needs, this is your starting point. Get instant access for just $17.

Use Your Strengths for Others (Video)

We love speaking to groups that care deeply about leadership, coaching, and building stronger teams. Our keynotes and workshops help leaders elevate performance, strengthen culture, and turn good teams into exceptional ones. Some of our most popular keynotes and talks in the last month include:

• The Leadership Lens - Perfect for a broad audience

• Accelerate Leadership - Perfect for managers and executives

• Building a Culture of Excellence - Perfect for an organization with a poor culture.

• The Growth Formula - Perfect to inspire people to take ownership of their development.

If you're planning an upcoming event or want to bring powerful insights to your team, We'd be honored to help. Reach out here, and let's discuss how we can contribute to your organization's next gathering.

Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:

1. Free Workshop: Book a free 60-minute skill mastery workshop for managers in your organization or a culture workshop for your executive team.

2. Customized Leadership Development Programs: Bring the Accelerate Leadership Program or Catalyst for Growth Program in-house for a customized experience for your team members. Programs include virtual or in-person instructor-led training, a Leadership Growth Plan, and group coaching to ensure real-world mastery.

3. 1:1 Coaching: Work 1-on-1 with me or one of our certified coaches to achieve your goals, strengthen critical skills, and address your most pressing challenges. This 6-month program focuses on mindset and execution for tangible, lasting outcomes. Show me more

4. Speaking: We are now booking keynotes for the fall of 2025. Hit reply on this note, or check out some of our recent talks here. 
   

That’s It For Today!