COACHING services
Every leader can benefit from coaching – from novice to expert. Nursing leaders are no exception. Let’s face it – these are difficult jobs. Having an unbiased coach who assures absolute confidentiality can be a tremendous resource in exploring new ideas, or in discussing how to deal with difficult problems.
We offer nursing leaders two types of coaching, as follows:
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Chief Nursing Officer Coaching.
We engage Joyce C. Clifford, RN, PhD, FAAN, world-renowned nursing leadership expert, to coach either new or seasoned chief nursing executives. Joyce is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Nursing Healthcare Leadership (INHL) in Boston, Massachusetts, which is affiliated with the nursing services of the Harvard affiliated teaching hospitals. For more information on the INHL and Joyce, visit: www.inhl.org
This type of coaching engagement is typically six to twelve months in length. It begins with a meeting between Joyce and the nurse executive to establish specific objectives and desired outcomes. This meeting can take place at the INHL in Boston, or at the nurse executive’s organization. If the meeting takes place at the INHL, Joyce typically makes a follow-up visit to the nurse executive’s organization. During the course of the engagement, Joyce performs a 360 degree evaluation of the nurse executive and holds regularly scheduled telephone conference calls with the nurse executive. Nurse executives can also correspond with Joyce via telephone or e-mail on an as needed basis. Any number of topics can be addressed during these individual coaching sessions, such as organizational structure, professional practice, managing difficult interpersonal relationships, personal goal setting, etc. -
Nursing Director & Manager Coaching.
At Kirby Bates Associates (KBA), we understand the unique needs and concerns of nurses moving into their first leadership position, a higher level leadership position, or those struggling with their current role. Our coaches focus on helping nurse leaders achieve their individual goals while also meeting the needs of their organization, staff and patients. This can include improving personal or team performance, achieving the organizational vision and strategic goals, engaging in continual learning, moving to a higher level position, understanding political awareness, or achieving a reasonable degree of work life balance.
Coaching is not the same as mentoring. Coaching is directive, goal oriented and geared toward the coachee. Coaching is an action-oriented process designed to help a nurse leader meet their learning needs and achieve career success. Our coaching model involves the coach and coachee developing a collaborative goal directed plan for attaining professional objectives. Key stakeholder interviews, direct observation, and the completion of an in-depth leadership self-assessment contribute to the development of the personalized coaching plan.
At the onset of the engagement, a Coaching Agreement is established between the coach and coachee. Critical elements of the Agreement include, but are not limited to; clarifying professional and personal goals, setting priorities, creating action plans and strategies that get results, staying focused and productive, measuring and tracking results, and disseminating information regarding successful achievements.
Common components of coaching plans include the following:- Improving leadership skills;
- Enhancing interpersonal skills and relationships with others;
- Improving communication skills;
- Evaluating effective techniques to manage time and other valuable resources;
- Learning how best to move through obstacles or challenges;
- Understanding project development and management; and,
- Creating strategies to improve culture or staff morale.
Kirby Bates Associates coaches work confidentially with individuals on a one-on-one and/or in group and team settings. Regular coaching sessions are scheduled either in person, by phone or electronic meeting, or both. Goals and milestones are tracked, results are documented, and reassessment of the coaching plan is completed. Once the formal coaching agreement has concluded, the KBA coach stays connected through periodic check-ins. One important role of the coach is that of objective third party sounding board. KBA coaches continue to be available to explore new ideas or discuss new developments.