and  improved  performance,  Coaches  have  the following  traits: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Listen  to  subordinates Are   concerned   about   high   performance standards,  but  feel  subordinates  should focus on self-improvement and individua- lized  goals  instead  of  absolute  standards  or goals Are  less  directive  than  other  leaders;  see their  job  as  one  of  aiding  or  guiding subordinates  toward  achieving  standards (that  is,  not  telling  them  or  imposing  the leader’s  view  of  the  standards);  ask  sub- ordinates  to  develop  plans,  solutions  to problems,  and  alternate  ways  of  accom- plishing   tasks;   don’t   express   personal preferences Provide   frequent,   specific,   task-oriented feedback,  help,  and  resources  to  help subordinates   improve   performance Reward  task  performance  and  improve- ment  of  performance;  respond  to  failures by  helping  subordinates  to  improve Develop  subordinates  effectively The coach leadership style is effective under the   following   conditions: 1. 2. 3. 4. Subordinates   have   their   own   access   to performance-related    feedback. Everyone  clearly  understands  performance measures  and  goals. Performance  feedback  is  available  to subordinates  in  a  timely  manner. Organizational  goals  are  achievable  even if one or more of the subordinates do not meet  their  individual  performance  goals. The coach leadership style is ineffective when the  following  conditions  exist: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Leaders  have  information  which  is  not available  to  subordinates. Subordinates   do   not   have   the   compre- hensive   perspective   needed   to   make performance-improvement    decisions. The  organization’s  performance  depends on the attainment of certain performance goals  by  every  one  of  the  subordinates. Performance  feedback  is  not  easily obtainable  from  the  coach  or  is  not  clear in its interpretation. Decisions  about  the  group’s  activities  or performance  have  to  be  made  in  a  rapid manner. Advising and Counseling Advising is the ability of a leader to provide needed information to help a person take action to correct a problem. Counseling is the ability of a   leader   to   help   a   person   explore,   better understand, and find solutions to a problem. An effective leader uses this skill group more often, in  more  situations,  and  with  better  results. Every  ship  has  a  limited  number  of  crew members,  each  with  various  levels  of  training  and expertise. Whether they have extensive or minimal training,  everyone  has  a  specific  job.  Every member contributes to the success of the mission and  the  welfare  of  the  crew.  Therefore,  the problems   of   every   subordinate   should   greatly concern  you  as  a  leader. When you became a petty officer, you received more  pay,  but  also  more  responsibilities.  Those responsibilities  include  any  personal  problems  that affect  your  subordinates’  performance,  such  as marital,  family,  and  financial  problems.  When those  problems  affect  a  person’s  performance, they  will,  in  turn,  affect  the  entire  work  group. Help  your  people  solve  their  problems;  in  turn, you will gain respect and trust from others in the division. The Navy has many helping resources to help personnel  with  problems.  Become  familiar  with these  helping  resources  and  their  specific  purposes so  that  you  can  advise  subordinates  on  how  to get  help  with  personal  problems. If you are effective in advising and counseling subordinates,  you  achieve  the  following  results: 4. Solve  problems  more  quickly  by  dealing with  them  within  the  work  group. Increase  morale  by  building  trust. Ease   the   pressure   on   superiors   by   re- solving  situations  at  your  own  level. Save   time   and   energy   of   the   few   pro- fessional   counselors   for   truly   serious problems. Although you should believe and trust in your subordinates’ basic worth and ability to perform, you will sometimes have subordinates who do not meet  standards.  Learning  to  apply  the  three  skills of  the  advising  and  counseling  skills  group  will help   you   deal   with   those   situations   more effectively: 1.  Positive  expectations 2.  Realistic  expectations 3.   Understanding 2-13 1. 2. 3.