Can my Manager be the coach I need?

How is hiring The Rubber Duck engineering coach any different from working with your manager to develop and grow?

Manager’s skills and motivation to help their reports progress in their careers vary widely from one manager to the next. Additionally, there are limitations to the manager / direct report relationship that can negatively impact career and personal development. Here are some of the differentiating factors.

Skilled Growth Partner - 

Manager: Many managers are not trained in coaching and development before they receive direct reports. (If this is you, coaching would be a fantastic opportunity to gain skills quickly.)

Coach: The Rubber Duck is continuously learning and honing their coaching craft, gathering new tools and insights to help clients along their path.

Power Balance - 

Manager: Has the power in the relationship and controls how successful you can be in your role and your financial well-being.

Coach: You hire them to be a partner in your career. The coach and client create a balanced partnership.

Long-Term Goal Setting -

Manager: Primarily concerned with goals related to team and company targets.

Coach: Helps you define and achieve long-term career goals, partnering on a roadmap for continued success.

Skill Enhancement -

Manager: Primarily concerned with job-specific skills related to your current role or progression to the next role.

Coach: Helps you develop a broader skill set, behaviors, mindset, and future career plans.

Feedback Approach -

Manager: Often delivers feedback on their terms. Generally, this is planned during 1:1s and review cycles. 

Coach: Provides objective, constructive feedback, focusing on your overall growth and improvement on your terms.

Career Transitions -

Manager: They likely have limitations and reservations about guiding career changes.

Coach: Expert in guiding professionals through career transitions, offering strategies for successful pivots into new roles, teams, or companies.

Continuous Support -

Manager: Typically interacts within the context of company-related work.

Coach: Provides ongoing support regardless of company.