To be an effective manager, you have to be an effective coach. A coach develops strategy and acts as a guiding force.

Here are the skills successful coaches need:

Active listening skills: Coaches need the ability to set aside distractions and give 100 percent of their attention to an employee. Active listening not only lets you hear what’s being said, but also what’s not being said.

Goal-setting skills: Coaches need to understand how to set reachable goals for employees with different skill sets and abilities.

Getting the inside scoop: Good coaches develop a good set of questions and techniques to understand an employee’s thought process and determine how he or she approaches issues. To be a good coach you need information about the person being coached.

Non-threatening communication and feedback: Coaches develop a framework for an employee to absorb and understand their message. They need to know not only what to say but how to say it.

Suspension of judgment: A good coach doesn’t jump to conclusions about an employee’s capabilities or potential. Coaches keep an open mind to ensure they gather accurate information.

Empathy: Coaches show they understand an employee’s professional and personal issues without pity or coddling. Learn to recognize and validate people’s concerns.