So, what does developmental coaching mean? For us, it represents the last frontier of coaching. It is the point where employees are more fully functional. It is where you do the final "tuning" in terms of helping create complete trust, total responsibility, and entrepreneurial partners in your operation. As we see it, you are doing a type of coaching that encourages the employee to take more and wiser risks, engage in more self expression, and discover what lasting contribution they can make. This is a confidence-building process and a creative stage for employees. It gives them a chance to define a personal mission beyond simple organizational advancement. The beauty of developmental coaching is that it doesn't require advancement and promotion. What you are doing is

The challenge for the leader is that many employees feel stuck in their jobs. They don't know what to do if they are not moving rapidly in a vertical direction in the company. You task is to help them achieve their fullest potential right where they are; to get them to look at growth and development in a different way. Many employees will need help to see this opportunity. Culture has taught them that growth, contribution, and satisfaction come only when you are living on "Mahogany Row" or in the organizational stratosphere.

If you would like to learn more about developmental coaching or to learn about our coaching skills process, please contact a representative from CMOE.
About the Author

Steven J. Stowell Ph.D, is the president and founder of CMOE (Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness). Steve has over 27 years of experience in the areas of coaching, leadership, and employee development.

To learn more about Steve or the CMOE development team, please contact us toll free at (888)262-2499.