The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

74 / LEADING OTHERS

Counseling others

Counseling is the discussion of emotional

problems in order to resolve them or to

help the person better cope. Problems

that might require counseling include

divorce, serious illness, financial

problems, interpersonal conflicts, drug

and alcohol abuse, and frustration over

a lack of career progress. Although

most managers are not qualified as

psychologists, there are several things

managers can do in a counseling

role before referring someone to

a professional therapist.

Confidentiality is of paramount

importance when counseling others. To

open up and share the reasons for many

personal problems, people must feel

that they can trust you and that there is

no threat to their self-esteem or their

reputation with others. Emphasize that

you will treat in confidence everything

that the other person says regarding

personal matters.

In focus

FEEDBACK

People need feedback about the

consequences of their actions if

they are to learn what works and

what doesn’t and then change their

actions to become more effective.

Carefully thought-out feedback

can increase performance and

positive personal development.

Applying feedback in the helping

process involves:

• Describing observed^
  behaviors and the results and
  consequences of those behaviors.
  
  
  • Assessing the impact of^
    the observed behaviors
    in terms of organizational
    vision and goals.
  
  
  • Predicting the personal
    consequences for the person
    involved if no changes take place.
  
  
  • Recommending changes the
    person could make to improve
    their behavior.
    This sequence of actions applies
    whether the type of help being
    given to the person is coaching,
    mentoring, or counseling.
  
  
  
  

US_074-075_Helping_Others_Improve.indd 74 30/05/16 3:01 pm