Always Keep Your Cool
As a coach, you may be justifiably enraged at certain employees from time to time and feel like dressing them down. Take a deep breath on these occasions. It's best to avoid such turbulent encounters. This may entail that you put off a meeting until you can temper your temper and look at things less emotionally and more objectively.
Avoid, “Ed, get in my office right now!” Instead, tell Ed in a controlled tone of voice, “I'd like to have a discussion with you on the progress of Project Mindshift. In my office at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, okay?” This will give you time to cool off and think through the feedback that you'll be imparting to Ed about his project performance and overall behavior on the job. It will also give Ed, with 24 hours to mull things over, a fairer chance to state his side of things.
In all verbal encounters with your employees, you should be cognizant of your tone of voice and bearing. That is, avoid sarcasm, haughtiness, and the attack mode. Be objective and consistent in your demeanor at all times. This will maximize the employee-employer relationship and performance results.
