Counselling staff effectively
By following the tips below, the Institute of Management says managers will be able to counsel staff effectively – helping staff clarify their thinking, resolve their difficulties and decide on the best way forward.
Pick the right venue. Steer clear of formal office positioning around a desk.
If you only have a certain amount of time available for the meeting, inform your colleague of this at the start. Placing a time-limit on the proceedings avoids repeatedly going over the same ground.
Examine your own feelings before the discussion. Whether or not you like your colleague is irrelevant.
Establish a framework and basic rules about time-limitations, what your colleague should expect to gain from this conversation, whether there will be any follow-up chats. Reassure him that any notes you take are solely for your own use and what is mentioned will not be repeated to a third party, unless you both agree this is necessary.
The nature of counselling sessions depends on the individual involved – so don’t impose a formulaic structure. You must actively listen, analysing what they say and periodically summarising to help you both remain focused; empathise, encourage them to be honest by understanding their issues; question, to clarify facts and draw out the whole picture; and challenge, forcing them to reappraise their views if you think they are being unrealistic.
Finally, identify ways you can help and your colleagues can help themselves. Close the discussion in a positive manner.
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