How to Be a Better Coach to Your Employees

Whether in the public, private or nonprofit sector, leaders produce the best results when they invest in teaching and mentoring their employees. That means not only encouraging them to perform their existing roles exceptionally well, but providing long-term developmental support that stretches them beyond their current experience and expertise.

If you want data to support this case, just look at Google. When the company's statisticians analyzed staff surveys, performance reviews and nominations for leadership awards, they discovered that being a good coach was at the top of the list of effective leadership behaviors. In fact, Google's senior vice president for people operations just wrote a book on the topic, Work Rules! Insights From Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead.

If you want federal government data to support the case, just look at the finalists and winners of the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals. When the Partnership for Public Service examined the leadership characteristics of these individuals in past years, being an effective teacher and mentor was an important attribute.

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This post was originally featured on The Washington Post's website.