Coaching, Bridge and Learning Opportunities

King County Employees sent this bulletin at 05/15/2018 02:55 PM PDT

5.15.2018

Can we get a fist bump for coaching?

Picture a time when you really valued a manager or a co-worker. What did your interactions look like? How did they make you feel? If you felt strong, buoyed and optimistic but also challenged to learn and grow and excited about a discovery, chances are those interactions included some coaching.

Coaching is a practice that helps others move forward to discover clarity and action, expanding their learning and providing fresh perspective. According to Joseph Folkman, contributing writer for Forbes, when managers serve as coaches, productivity improves, retention rates are greater, employee satisfaction with growth and improvement opportunities rises, and manager ratings are more positive. But the benefits are not exclusively the outcome of coaching in a hierarchical relationship.

In their article, Why Employees Need Peer Coaching, Quantum Workplace reports, "According to our recent study, peer coaching and coaching from managers ranked in employees' top five preferred methods of learning and development. Of their top five, peer coaching had the greatest impact on employee engagement." They go on to cite benefits particular to peer-to-peer coaching:

Peer coaching makes employees more self-aware.
Peers can better gauge performance and developmental needs.
Peers understand team impact.
Peer coaching is more instantaneous.
Peer feedback impacts both parties.

Whether you're a people leader or an individual contributor, you can contribute positively to our work culture by building your coaching skills. This month we're launching a series of half-day coaching workshops, The Fundamentals of Coaching. You can sign up for one below.

Can't attend an in-person workshop? No worries! Your learning can start from resources available in our KC eLearning coaching collection. Then connect with a group of peers, your team, or other colleagues to discuss a resource, reflect on your learning, and practice coaching each other. Let us know the ways you're finding to incorporate coaching in your workplace!

The Fundamentals of Coaching

May 21 | June 20 | August 8 | August 30 | Free

2018 Bridge Fellowship Program

Are you curious about the King County Bridge Fellowship Program? This 18-week professional development program can help you expand your mindset, strengthen current competencies, and develop new skills. Applications are now open for the 2018 cohort. Learn more! Applications are due by Friday, June 8.

King County Mentoring

Lunch and Learn

Interested in learning about mentoring at King County? Attend an informational lunch and learn to find out about the program, opportunities to be a mentor and/or a mentee, how to sign up, and how to search for a partner.

May 31 | June 14 | July 12 | August 9 | Free

Orientation

You've attended the lunch and learn, registered in the mentoring system, and matched up with a mentor/mentee. Next step? Kick-off your mentoring partnership by signing up for the orientation.

May 18 | Free

Igniting Employee Development

a course for people leaders*

June 13 | June 27 | July 17 | July 24 | Free

*People leader means you have direct reports or lead/supervisory responsibilities.

Introduction to Career Development

a course for all employees

July 12 | August 16 | Free

Propel Your Career

Explore the resources available to you in the Propel Your Career curated collection on KC eLearning. Focus areas include:

Mindful Communication

June 13 Kent | Free

New Employee Orientation Presenter

June 28 | Free

Fearless Feedback: How to Give and Receive It

July 12 | $89

Delivering Presentations with Purpose and Impact

July 17 | $89

How to Reach, Teach, and Inspire Multiple Generations in the Workplace

July 26 | $425

Communicate and Collaborate

Improve your workplace interactions (success and happiness, too) by enhancing your communication and collaboration skills. KC eLearning provides resources for: