Communication tools

Here are nine tools to help you communicate effectively when you coach your co-workers.

1. Give feedback one-on-one and in private.
2. Try to communicate with the person immediately after your observe the behavior.
3. Start with positive statements about what the person did safely.
4. When giving feedback about risky behaviors, be objective. Focus on actions, not your feelings about them.
5. After stating what you observed, listen to the employee’s feedback.
6. If you sense the person is just making excuses, don’t argue, just move on.
7. Problem-solve together to find ways to increase safe actions and decrease risky ones.
8. If you find activators or barriers to safe behavior you can’t change right away, talk to the supervisor about solving them later.
9. A reward for safe behavior helps make sure it happens again. Tell the co-worker his or her actions set a good example.