The Skill/Will Matrix Video

If you coach or manage people as part of your job, it can be difficult to figure out what style of coaching will best suit you and your team member. How "hands-on" should you be, for example? Do you really need to be setting someone detailed tasks, or would they perform better if they were allowed more independence? And how best to motivate them? Does the person you coach seem really disengaged and bored or are they a self-starter who's eager to get stuck in?

The Skill/Will Matrix can help you identify the right coaching style to use based on two key things: your coachee's levels of skill and motivation.

The matrix is divided into four quadrants. Let's take a look at the first one.

If your coachee has a lack of skill and motivation, it's best to use a Direct coaching style. This means setting them clear goals and deadlines and monitoring their progress closely. Also, encourage open communication. Check in with them regularly and make it clear that they can come to you for help whenever they need it.

If your coachee is highly skilled, but finds it hard to stay motivated, you'll need to make an effort to inject some Excitement back into their routine. Start by finding out what motivates them. What do they want out of their job? Is it more money, more responsibility, or a fresh new challenge?

Also, explore whether there's anything that's negatively impacting them. Maybe there's a conflict at work, or office politics are getting them down, or even something in their home life is causing them to lose focus. If this is the case, do your best to provide support where you can and remove or lessen the impact of these obstacles.

Someone who falls into the Guide quadrant of the matrix already has all the motivation needed to do a good job, but not the skill. Look for learning opportunities that will enable them to develop their ability and their confidence. Are there any projects they could get involved in or training courses that might be useful?

Finally, if your coachee is highly skilled and highly motivated, you won't really have to do a lot other than Delegate. Your role here is to act as a sounding board for your coachee. So let them know you're available to brainstorm or bounce around ideas with them whenever they want.

To learn more about the Skill/Will Matrix and how to use it to improve your coaching style, read the article   that accompanies this video.