Exercise 9.3: A coaching conversation

Read the exchange below, in which Bob is the coach and Tom is the peer. Question: Evaluate Toms and Bobs language and propose alternatives.

Tom: Bob, can I talk to you for a couple of minutes? Weve worked together for years. I have a time management problem. I just dont get enough done in a day. What do you think?

Bob: Yeah, me, too. Thats hard for all of us. I know your boss. Its time someone made him take control. Make him fix your problem. Whats with that guy anyway?

Tom: Ive asked him for help, but he said everything on my todo list is important and that I need to get it all done. He makes me feel even worse. What do you do?

Bob: Wow, your boss can be a real jerk! Im glad I dont work for him. Maybe you should take a time management course. Thats an idea!

Tom: Im already so busy. How am I going to find time to take a course? Bob: I dont know. Im just giving you some ideas. Maybe you need to work more hours.

Tom: Im already working 50 hours a week. If I work any more, Ill just be taking time from my family. What do you do?

Bob: I dont know. We all have a time management problem. Maybe you just forget about it for a while.

Tom: I suppose I just live with it like everyone else.

Bob: Youve got about 10-12 people working for you, right?

Tom: Ive got 12.

Bob: Dump some of your work on your people. Maybe they need to work harder. This place never hires enough people.

Tom: Theyre already as busy as I am. I guess I just live with this.

Bob: How big is your budget about one million?

Tom: Yeah, about one million?

Bob: Tell you what, go hire another employee someone wholl work even harder for you, OK? We need to get rid of the dead wood around here. Just do it.

Tom: I suppose. Whatever.