Six steps of Effective Counseling. Learn two types of Counseling.

There are six steps of effective counseling:
1. Identify the problem. Make sure that you really know the problem. Analyze the forces influencing the behavior. Determine which of these forces you have control over and which of the forces the employee has control over. Determine if the force has to be modified, eliminated, or enforced.
2. Plan, coordinate, and organize the session. Determine the best time to conduct the session.
3. Conduct the session using sincerity, compassion, and kindness. This does not mean you cannot be firm or in control.
4. During the session, determine what the employee believes causes the counterproductive behavior and what will be required to change it.
5. Try to maintain a sense of timing as to when to use directive or non-directive counseling. (See below for definitions.)
6. Using all the facts, make a decision and/or a plan of action to correct the problem. If more counseling is needed, set a firm date and time for the next session.
There are also two types of counseling—directive and non-directive. In directive counseling, the counselor identifies the problem and tells the person being counseled what to do about it. In non-directive counseling, the person being counseled identifies the problem and determines the solution with the help of the counselor. The counselor has to determine which of the two types, or some appropriate combination, to apply to each situation. Whichever approach is chosen, a workplace counseling session will be most effective if you keep in mind the following guidelines:
? Move the individual being counseled toward an action outcome.
? Know when to refer the person to someone else—for example, the Human Resource Department.
? Avoid becoming personally involved.
? Avoid being judgmental.
? Keep asking questions.
? Make sure that you use active listening techniques.

Six steps of Effective Counseling. Learn two types of Counseling.