Boss to Coach Conversation 5 of 5 Progress Review
Week 1 – Lets Progress

Introduction to Progress Review

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Listen to Lesson 1

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Conversation 1 Setting Expectations
The relationship between a manager and an employee is crucial for business success. Your job satisfaction is closely connected to your boss's competence, and happy employees directly impact customer satisfaction. The challenge lies in not being equipped with the skills to manage effectively.  One of the key strategies is to adopt a coaching approach.

To support this transition, there are three enablers as outlined on Page 3 of your Blue Workbook and the diagram 3 Things High Performance Teams Do:

  1. THE WHY Manage for Engagement Where to focus, ongoing measurement and active engagement of employees.

  2. THE HOW Leverage Strengths Lead through a strengths-based management approach

  3. THE WHAT From Performance Management to Development The 5 Coaching Conversations that demand and drive increased levels of performance and results.

This learning module talks to third strategy of performance development and specifically the progress review conversation. 

A strong progress review is about talking with individuals in a holistic way to help them think about their goals and purpose, performance, metrics, strengths, and development.  It is about creating accountability through a process that is achievement oriented, fair and accurate, and developmental.  Most importantly the focus should be on celebrating what has been done well and a focus on how to get more of that performance.  We want employees to feel excited to have this meeting, as it is about them and their development.

This is one of five modules for each of the Boss to Coach conversations; Setting Expectations, Everyday Feedback, Check In, Development Plan, Progress Review.  See more about Boss to Coach.

These conversations are supported with the CliftonStrengths tool.  This helps to describe the talents, skills and knowledge that are unique to you - the things you do best.  If you can identify and then use your strengths in your job and your life, things are easier, more enjoyable, and effective. Find out more about CliftonStrengths and how they can be used. Find out more about CliftonStrengths and how they can be used

Course Objectives

Understand the importance of progress reviews and how to ensure they are valued by both you and your team.  Provide a structure that

  • Creates a fair as possible process by being employee led

  • Celebrates and encourages more great performance

  • Helps identify where things have got stuck

  • Thinks longer term

  • Focuses on development by either double downing on current strong performance or putting a development plan in place to build performance further

  • Supports good preparation for both the manager and employee to put their best foot forward

This course also brings together concepts from the other Boss to Coach modules.

This is important because…
A progress review provides an opportunity to assess performance, recognise where things have gone well, offer constructive feedback, set future goals, and ensure alignment with organisational objectives, ultimately fostering growth and development.  This helps improve the three key relationships we all have; with ourselves, others, and the community/organisation we're part of, see the diagram below.

How to use this course

The structure is as follows

  • To have the option to either read the content or Listen to an audio file or both

  • There are videos to Watch to explain concepts

  • There are articles to Read for in-depth explanation of concepts

  • An Activity to apply the learning, completed in your Blue Workbook

There are Optional resources for Activity, Read, Watch.  These are not required for each lesson but can be helpful to deepen your understanding.  These are shaded.

To support, use the Workbooks

Each lesson includes insights and actions.  The workbooks will support this.  There are two workbooks that you will need to have open, either electronically or printed

  1. The Blue Workbook.  The name is based on the colour of its cover

    a) This is where you will capture all your learnings and is designed to become your manager’s “playbook.”  The online course is designed as the supporting tool to explain the content further

    b) In the footer on each page, there is a reference to the module so you can find the specific lesson and content this relates to.

  2. The White Workbook.  The name is based on the colour of its cover

    This contains insights for your CliftonStrengths Top 5 profile including contributions, motivations, what your strengths love, hate, need

    We will use these insights to populate the activities in your Blue Workbook

Make the time

This course works best when you have undistracted time and are in front of your computer.  You will need one hour a week for the next 5 weeks.  This looks like…

  1. A 45-minute bite sized online learning chunks.  You will also have full access to the course so you can complete in larger blocks and at your own pace  

  2. A 15-minute debrief with your manager/sponsor to share one discovery.  This could be incorporated into your regular 1-1

  3. A once monthly 1-hour group coaching call with Jason Biggs

  4. Applying your learnings in everyday conversations with team 

COMING SOON You'll receive weekly reminders to track your course progress.  Your team leader will also receive these emails to support debrief discussions with them.

Boss to Coach Learning Cycle

Before We Start, Do These Following Actions

  • You’ll need to know your Top 5 CliftonStrengths. If you don’t have a profile yet, e-mail hello@jasonbiggs.nz

  • Each module has its own Blue Workbook. Make sure you’re using the correct version for this module – it’s designed to capture your insights and become your “playbook.” Download a copy of your Blue Workbook here

  • You should have received it by e-mail. If not, e-mail hello@jasonbiggs.nz

    1. Set aside 45–60 minutes each week to complete the course (or work through it in larger blocks)

    2. Book a 15-minute connect with your team leader each week

    3. Or add a standing agenda item to your 1–1 to share what you’re learning

  • You’ll receive a weekly reminder e-mail introducing your next lesson. At the same time, your manager or learning buddy will get their own reminder e-mail with tips that match what you’re learning. It’s designed so you’re both on the same page and can have more useful conversations along the way.

    If your manager or buddy changes during the course, e-mail us at hello@jasonbiggs.nz so we can update their details.

  • Group coaching calls are held monthly via Zoom and are open to all participants – no matter where you’re up to in the course. They usually run on a Wednesday in the second week of the month, but times may vary. You’ll need to register each month to join.

  • On Page 2 of your Blue Workbook write

    1. Your name

    2. Your Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes

    3. An objective you would like to get from this The Introduction to Strengths course

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