Q: I believe your ground rules are more applicable when the coach is from outside, rather than within, the organization. How different is it when the coach and the coached are in the same company or even the same department?
A: Depending on your company, your internal coach may actually be more of a mentor—someone who serves as a sounding board with no specific performance objectives, agenda or approach. If you are, in fact, in an internal coaching relationship, then it is much more difficult to ensure impartiality and confidentiality—two elements that are critical to securing the trust that is so fundamental to productive coaching relationships. In addition, it may be much more difficult for the coach to be tough, given that the client is part of the same organizational community.
Q:What are your thoughts on the characteristics of the best coaches? Do you think someone with practical experience (such as yours) …