232- Training, Coaching, and Mentoring

Definitions

• Training
  • Teaching specific skill or knowledge.
  • Examples: learning a new programming language, following a new process.
• Coaching
  • Guided process to enhance and refine skills just learned.
  • Focus: development & continuous improvement.
• Mentoring
  • Ongoing professional relationship.
  • Provides advice/issue-fixing on an \text{as-needed} basis.

Application

• Perform training, coaching, mentoring either:
  • Individually (one team member).
  • Collectively (entire team).
• Core to “people management” (more accurate than “project management”).

Role of the Project Manager

• Support team to resolve:
  • Business issues.
  • Personal issues (personal life impacts work performance).
• Help only if the individual is willing to accept assistance.
• Goal: keep people & project \text{on track}, foster skill growth.

Impact on Team Performance

• Skill improvement ⇒ higher job competence & confidence.
• Recognition of growth increases appreciation and engagement.