Coaching, Mentoring and Managing: A Coach Guidebook

Your StaffCoaching™ Style ................................................................................

Coaching, Mentoring and Managing

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StaffCoaching™ Style Inventory

Supervisors and managers find themselves in critical incidents that require on-the-spot decisions. This

inventory will help you identify your “StaffCoaching™ Style.”

Rank your response to each situation, giving three (3) points for your top choice, two (2) for your second

preference and one (1) for your least-desired choice in each scenario.

1. Two employees in your department do not get along. One of them has asked you to intervene. You say ...
   a. “Why should I get involved? You work it out, or come to me together.”
   b. “I’ll talk to the other party,” thinking you’ll get to the bottom of this before it gets out
   of hand.
   _____ c. “Can you give me some background? Maybe we can work this out together.”


2. During a staff meeting, one employee charges that your leadership efforts are a joke, that nothing gets
   done. After the meeting, you say ...
   a. “Let’s discuss this privately.”
   b. “Let me state the goals of this project again.”
   _____ c. “I’m really concerned about your response. What do you mean?”


3. During a private conversation with another supervisor, you find out that her job may be eliminated.
   You say ...
   a. “Let’s explore the available options, okay?”
   b. Nothing, but probe to gain more information.
   _____ c. “Do you want to talk about it?”


4. Personnel cuts must be made in your department. A meeting has been planned to announce the cuts, but
   another manager has cold feet and may not show up for the meeting. You say ...
   a. “I understand your concern about giving bad news, but we’re expected in this meeting.
   Let’s look at some ways we can do this together.”
   b. “You’ve got to be there. Think of the long-term reactions if you’re not.”
   _____ c. “What do you think we can do so it’s easier on both of us?”


5. You are assigning work responsibilities and identify a major conflict in the work priorities of an employee
   on your team. You say ...
   a. “I really respect your thoughts and feelings on this. Let’s talk about priorities.”
   b. “I’ve got the jobs pretty well assigned and can’t switch now. You’ve got to change what
   you’re doing.”
   _____ c. “There’s a logical way to meet both our goals. Let’s see if we can find mutual priorities.”


6. Your manager has called you to her office and asked your opinion about an employee who is not in your
   department. You say ...
   a. “Can we talk about the goals and objectives before I give any opinions?”
   b. “You’re talking to the wrong person.”
   _____ c. “I’m really glad you are checking out our employees. Let me tell you what I think.”


7. A major deadline is about to expire on one of your best accounts. You need every resource to meet the
   deadline, but one employee is very upset over family problems. You say ...
   a. “This project must get out the door. What can you do?”
   b. “The show must go on; you’ll have to leave personal business at home.”
   _____ c. “One option is to call the client and see if we can get an extension for your part.”