We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Kris Plachy

If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. One of the most important roles of a manager is to ensure everyone knows the destination. The most effective managers set expectations and assess their employees’ performance against those expectations, and take a coaching approach to helping them get to the destination. That’s exactly what you’ll learn to do in this course!

Read more

If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. One of the most important roles of a manager is to ensure everyone knows the destination. The most effective managers set expectations and assess their employees’ performance against those expectations, and take a coaching approach to helping them get to the destination. That’s exactly what you’ll learn to do in this course!

You will explore how to collaboratively develop expectations with those you lead. When you encounter expectations that are not being met, you’ll learn how to use "Coaching Algebra" to determine the underlying issues that are impeding performance, and how to respond as a manger-coach.

We look forward to you joining us as we explore these essential coaching topics!

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview & Designing Performance Expectations
This module provides an overview of the entire course and then moves into talking about performance expectations. We'll discuss the three primary constructs of performance: process, people, and practice, learn what elements make effective mission and vision statements, and begin talking about creating effective performance expectations for your team members. You will also learn how to define clear expectations for team members and compare expectations and standards.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores foundational leadership concepts, making it suitable for beginners with little exposure to management
Explores the concept of performance expectations and how to develop them, addressing a practical managerial need
Utilizes the 'Coaching Algebra' method for diagnosing and addressing performance gaps, which is an uncommon approach
Imparts skills that are immediately applicable in work environments, addressing a need for practical application
Requires learners to have some managerial experience, making it more suitable for mid-level managers
Does not cover advanced management concepts, such as strategic planning or talent development

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Managerial skills: expectations & performance

According to students, this course offers a practical and structured approach highly relevant for managers looking to improve team performance. Learners particularly highlight the clear framework for setting expectations and the introduction of the "Coaching Algebra" model as valuable tools for diagnosing and addressing performance gaps. While the course is generally well-received for its actionable insights, some reviewers suggest that learners with significant prior experience in performance management might find certain sections cover familiar territory.
Helps in defining clear goals and standards.
"The course clearly explained how to define expectations, linking process, people, and practice."
"Setting clear expectations is foundational, and this course laid out a solid method."
"Defining KPIs and aligning them with individual goals was very well explained."
"I now have a much better understanding of how to set measurable and clear expectations for my team members."
A unique and effective model for diagnosis.
"The "Coaching Algebra" section was particularly insightful and gave me a new way to think about performance issues."
"I found the Coaching Algebra tool very helpful for breaking down performance problems."
"Understanding Coaching Algebra provided a clear framework for diagnosing root causes."
"The model presented for analyzing performance gaps is powerful and easy to understand."
Provides tools and strategies for immediate use.
"I can immediately apply the strategies discussed in this course to my team."
"The content provided practical tools that I could implement right away in my role as a manager."
"Learned actionable steps for setting clearer expectations."
"This course gave me concrete techniques for coaching my employees."
May cover familiar ground for experienced managers.
"Some parts felt like a review if you've already had management training, but the models were new."
"For someone new to management, this is excellent. With years of experience, some concepts were basic."
"While the specific models were new, the initial modules on expectations felt introductory."
"Wish there was a bit more depth on handling particularly complex or resistant performance issues."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Setting Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues with these activities:
Watch videos on coaching techniques
Expand your knowledge of coaching techniques by watching videos from experts in the field.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Search for videos on coaching techniques.
  • Watch the videos and take notes on key concepts.
Read 'Coaching and Mentoring for Performance'
Get a head start on learning about coaching and mentoring techniques that will be covered in this course.
View The Best Team Wins on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on key concepts.
Attend a coaching workshop
Accelerate your learning by attending a workshop led by an experienced coach.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Research coaching workshops in your area.
  • Select a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Role-play common coaching scenarios
Develop your coaching skills by practicing in a safe and supportive environment.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Identify a common coaching scenario.
  • Role-play the scenario with a partner.
  • Debrief the role-play and identify areas for improvement.
Develop a Performance Improvement Plan
Put your learning into practice by creating a plan to improve your own performance or the performance of a team member.
Browse courses on Performance Management
Show steps
  • Identify an area for improvement.
  • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
  • Develop a plan of action to achieve your goals.
  • Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Write a blog post about a coaching experience
Reflect on your own experiences as a coach or mentee and share your insights with others.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Choose a specific coaching experience to write about.
  • Identify the key lessons you learned from the experience.
  • Write a blog post sharing your insights and lessons learned.
Volunteer as a coach or mentor
Gain practical experience and make a meaningful contribution by volunteering your coaching skills.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Identify organizations that offer coaching or mentoring opportunities.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Complete the necessary training and background checks.
  • Start volunteering and providing coaching or mentoring services.
Design and deliver a training program on coaching
Demonstrate your mastery of coaching principles by creating and delivering a training program for others.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Identify the target audience for your training program.
  • Develop the learning objectives for your training program.
  • Create the content for your training program.
  • Deliver your training program.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of your training program.

Career center

Learners who complete Setting Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Performance Improvement Manager
Performance Improvement Managers work with organizations to improve the performance of their employees. They identify areas where employees need to improve and develop plans to help them reach their goals. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may help Performance Improvement Managers to better prepare themselves for this role by teaching them how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Human Capital Manager
Human Capital Managers oversee the recruitment, development, and retention of talent within an organization. They work with leaders to identify and develop high-potential employees, and they create programs and initiatives to help employees reach their full potential. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Human Capital Managers because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Talent Manager
Talent Managers oversee the recruitment, development, and retention of talent within an organization. They work with leaders to identify and develop high-potential employees, and they create programs and initiatives to help employees reach their full potential. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Talent Managers because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Performance Analyst
Performance Analysts collect and analyze data to assess the performance of an organization or its employees. They use this data to identify areas for improvement and develop recommendations for change. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Performance Analysts because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by analyzing their operations and recommending changes. To do this successfully requires a clear oversight of the company's goals, their current practices, and relevant performance metrics. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may help Management Consultants to set clear expectations, assess performance, and provide feedback to their clients. This course will also help them to understand the importance of creating a positive and supportive work environment.
Employee Relations Manager
Employee Relations Managers oversee employee relations within an organization. They work with leaders to develop and implement policies and procedures that create a positive and productive work environment. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Employee Relations Managers because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with employees to ensure that the organization's goals are met. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Operations Managers because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with organizations to analyze their business processes and identify areas for improvement. They use this information to develop recommendations for change that can improve the organization's performance. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Business Analysts because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Project Manager
Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects. They work with team members to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Project Managers because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for team members, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resource Managers oversee activities and policies relating to employees and their work life. They must understand staff concerns, create amicable work environments, and build productive workplace cultures. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may help Human Resource Managers to better prepare themselves for this role by teaching them how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive. This course will also help them to understand the importance of creating a positive and supportive work environment.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers oversee the development and implementation of training programs for employees. They work with leaders to identify training needs and develop programs that meet those needs. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Training and Development Managers because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Team Leader
Team Leaders oversee the day-to-day operations of a team. They work with team members to ensure that the team's goals are met. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Team Leaders because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for team members, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Organizational Development Consultant
Organizational Development Consultants work with organizations to improve their performance by focusing on the people side of the business. They work with leaders to develop and implement strategies that improve employee motivation, engagement, and productivity. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Organizational Development Consultants because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Organizational Psychologist
Organizational Psychologists help organizations to improve their performance by focusing on the people side of the business. They work with leaders to develop and implement strategies that improve employee motivation, engagement, and productivity. The course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to Organizational Psychologists because it will help them to better understand how to set clear expectations for employees, assess their performance, and provide feedback in a way that is both motivating and constructive.
Career Counselor
Career Counselors advise students and clients on making sound career choices in the face of educational and career obstacles. One who wishes to be successful as a Career Counselor should have a keen understanding of roles, industries, and educational pathways in order to effectively help guide their clients' decisions. To this end, the course "Defining Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues" may be useful to this role by helping the Career Counselor understand how to set expectations and assess performance with their clients. This course may also help them to understand the motivations and goals of their clients, and provide them with tools to help their clients reach their full potential.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Setting Expectations & Assessing Performance Issues.
Provides tools and techniques for having difficult conversations. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills.
Provides a simple and effective framework for managing employees. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their management skills.
Provides a framework for personal and professional development. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills.
Save
Provides insights into what motivates people. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills.
Provides insights into the power of introverts. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser