Coaching Strategies The Twinkie Defense and 3 Other Strategies Lawyers Use
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Self Improvement -> subcategory Coaching.
Coaching Strategies: The Twinkie Defense and 3 Other Effective Legal Tactics for Leadership
Summary:
Leverage the tactics and strategies used by lawyers to enhance your coaching skills and drive employee performance.
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To coach your employees toward optimal performance, consider adopting these four lawyer-inspired strategies for giving constructive feedback:
1. Provide Evidence of Performance
In legal cases, prosecutors must share all evidence with the defense. Similarly, supervisors should offer clear proof of any performance issues. For example, Tony repeatedly received vague criticism from his district manager about his sales calls. However, he never saw specific monitoring sheets, heard call recordings, or got a chance to explain himself because feedback was given through a blunt memo.
This approach is counterproductive and doesn't motivate improvement. Employees need concrete evidence, such as recorded calls or detailed notes, to understand and address any shortcomings.
2. Prepare Thoroughly for Performance Meetings
No attorney would enter a cross-examination unprepared. Likewise, preparing a loose script for employee meetings ensures you cover all necessary points without reading verbatim. This preparation helps focus your attention on the employee, fostering a more engaging and effective discussion.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Instead of asking yes-or-no questions, which limit responses, opt for open-ended ones. Just as a lawyer would ask a juror how they feel about the death penalty to gain deeper insight, you should ask questions that encourage employees to elaborate. Some examples include: "If you could redo this call, how would you approach it?" or "What more can you tell me about this customer interaction?"
4. Avoid the "Twinkie Defense"
In court, the "Twinkie Defense" is a tactic where defendants blame external factors, like a sugar high, for their actions. In the workplace, employees might use similar excuses for poor performance. Hold your team accountable by focusing on personal responsibility and not allowing excuses like heavy traffic or broken elevators to cloud accountability.
By applying these proven strategies, you’ll be coaching your employees like a pro, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Coaching Strategies The Twinkie Defense and 3 Other Strategies Lawyers Use.
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