Employee productivity is one of the essential elements that determine the success of a business. Most organizations tend to initiate the best practices to ensure that employees perform highly. Workers’ productivity depends on various factors, including their association with their managers. As indicated in James’s case, having a good connection between the employees and the management can make employees work exceptionally well and be more productive than when the relationship is cold. A coaching program within the business environment is essential in equipping the employees with the necessary knowledge to make them productive and relate well with the management. In this scenario, Alexandra needs to employ the Persuader Coaching style to establish a friendly environment between herself and James. This coaching style enables the leader to be more assertive and people-oriented, thus relating well with their workforce (Kahn, 2018). Persuader coaching style requires close engagement with the employees, offering support, and setting realistic expectations that the workforce can achieve.
Firstly, Alexandra should regularly engage with James and offer a meaningful and constructive response to James’ concerns. Providing feedback to the employees’ concerns creates a friendly environment for them to speak their minds on the various issues affecting them (Kahn, 2018). There is, therefore, a need to listen to them frequently and initiate them to talk about the various things that are affecting them and suggest solutions they feel comfortable with. Feedback may involve encouragement and positive comments on how James conducts his duty. This will make him feel appreciated and motivate him to continue working smart because his efforts are recognized.
Secondly, Alexandra should offer support to James whenever needed. Employees require support at different levels, including at a personal level where they may be emotionally disturbed or at the professional level where there may be a lack of adequate equipment to execute their duties well (Kahn, 2018). Offering support at all levels creates a conducive environment for employees to work without stress, thus performing their duties to their full potential. Alexandra’s support towards James will make her avoid unfair criticism because she will be in a position to understand what James may be experiencing and employ the necessary mechanisms to help him. Conclusively, when management shows support to their employees, they create a sense of loyalty and goodwill among the employees, thus ensuring they work efficiently.
Thirdly, Alexandra should set realistic objectives for James to achieve. Most managers tend to subject their employees to intense pressure when setting unrealistic goals. Most of these employees have to work tirelessly to achieve the set goals losing focus and happiness (Kahn, 2018). Employees who work under pressure often experience a low sense of concentration, and they are likely to make personal mistakes in the line of duty, which may be costly. Unrealistic goals tend to stretch the employees to their limits giving them no time to rest and have psychological composure to think clearly and work on their assignments accordingly. Alexandra should focus on the goals that she sets on James so that he does not work under pressure, affecting his concentration level and emotions.
In conclusion, effective coaching styles play a significant role in creating a conducive environment for the employees to work efficiently. The relationship between the management and the employees is essential in determining the emotional stability needed for employees to enjoy working with a particular company. Establishing such a conducive environment requires frequent constructive feedback to employees’ concerns, genuine support to the issues affecting the employees, and realistic objectives that the employees can achieve within the set time frame.
Reference
Kahn, M. S. (2018). Coaching on the axis: Working with complexity in business and executive coaching. Routledge.