Which practice demonstrates coaching by emphasizing positive aspects first and addressing behavior?

• A. Start by criticizing the employee for mistakes.
• B. Emphasize positive aspects first and address behavior.
• C. Compare employees to each other.
• D. Discuss only what went wrong.

Answer: (B)

Effective coaching starts by highlighting what the employee does well and then addressing the behavior that needs improvement. Leading with positive aspects builds trust and reduces defensiveness, making the person more receptive to feedback. After establishing a constructive tone, discuss the specific behavior, what happened, and the impact it had, and offer clear, actionable steps for improvement. This approach supports motivation and growth by reinforcing strengths while guiding changes.

Starting with criticism can trigger defensiveness and shut down the conversation, so it’s less effective for coaching. Comparing employees to each other creates a negative, competitive dynamic that can erode teamwork. Focusing only on what went wrong misses the chance to acknowledge good performance and to provide balanced, actionable guidance.