Performance Management & Coaching Skills

Learn how to manage employee performance fairly and in line with German law. This course builds practical coaching skills for managers and HR professionals — covering BetrVG, GDPR, and AGG. Drive team performance, handle difficult conversations with confidence, and embed a coaching culture in your organisation.

Performance Management & Coaching Skills

Course Overview of Performance Management & Coaching Skills

Imagine this: An employee has been underperforming for months. Conversations are becoming increasingly uncomfortable. The manager doesn't know how to address the issue — in a way that's legally sound, fair, and still effective. This is an everyday scenario in German organisations. And this is exactly where the difference between a good and an excellent leader begins.

 

Performance Management & Coaching Skills are no longer optional — they are essential. Companies that use systematic performance management and professional coaching demonstrably achieve higher employee satisfaction, lower staff turnover, and better business results. At the same time, Germany has specific legal frameworks to navigate: the Works Constitution Act, the GDPR, the General Equal Treatment Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act set clear boundaries — while also providing protection for everyone involved.

 

This course combines a solid theoretical foundation with practical, real-world application. You will learn how to conduct performance conversations with confidence, apply coaching methods professionally, and act in full compliance with German law. Whether you are a manager, HR professional, or learning and development specialist—this course gives you the tools you need for modern, fair, and effective people management.

 

Performance Management & Coaching Skills

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define performance management and position it effectively within your own organisation
  • Assess employee performance objectively and fairly — moving beyond outdated annual review models
  • Apply the relevant German legislation (BetrVG, GDPR, AGG, ArbSchG) with confidence
  • Embed coaching structures into organisations and coordinate with works councils
  • Authentically take on the manager-as-coach role — with clear ethical boundaries
  • Lead difficult performance conversations professionally and in compliance with the law
  • Apply coaching models from the European context in a targeted way
  • Support both high performers and employees who need development equally and effectively
  • Use coaching during change and transformation processes
  • Measure coaching effectiveness and communicate results internally

Course Curriculum

5 Sections 20 Lectures 5 Hours
  • Meaning and scope of performance management
  • Performance, behavior, and productivity
  • Roles of managers, HR, employees, and works councils
  • Limits of traditional appraisals in German workplaces
  • Co-determination and employee rights (BetrVG)
  • Data protection in performance data (DSGVO, BDSG)
  • Fairness and non-discrimination (AGG)
  • Health, stress, and duty of care (ArbSchG)
  • Internal vs. external coaching structures
  • Coaching standards, ethics, and supervision
  • Measuring coaching effectiveness and outcomes
  • Works council involvement in coaching initiatives
  • Manager-as-coach role and ethical boundaries
  • Core coaching skills and techniques
  • Coaching models used in Europe
  • Psychological safety and trust-based leadership
  • Coaching high performance and talent growth
  • Coaching underperformance legally and ethically
  • Feedback and difficult performance conversations
  • Coaching during change and transformation

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is designed for everyone who carries responsibility for people and performance:

  • Managers and team leaders who want to lead performance conversations more professionally and effectively
  • HR business partners and HR officers who design and accompany performance processes
  • Learning & development professionals who want to build coaching programmes within their organisations
  • Works council members who want to understand and actively exercise their co-determination rights in performance processes
  • Coaches and consultants who want to deepen their knowledge within the German corporate context
  • Career changers entering HR, looking to build a solid foundation in performance management and coaching
  • Specialists and managers seeking to develop into an HR or leadership role

Requirements

No specialist prior knowledge is required for this course. The following is helpful but not essential:

  • Some professional experience in a company or organisation
  • A basic interest in people management, HR, or coaching
  • A willingness to reflect on the course content and apply it in your day-to-day work

The course is structured so that both beginners and experienced professionals benefit equally.

Career opportunities

The skills gained from this course open up a wide range of career paths in the German job market:

  • HR Business Partner
    The link between senior management and employees — with responsibility for performance processes and people development.
  • Learning & Development Manager / People Development Specialist
    Designing and delivering training and coaching programmes within an organisation.
  • Manager / Team Leader
    Direct responsibility for team performance, employee conversations, and individual development. Salary: highly variable depending on sector and company size
  • Internal Coach / Corporate Coach
    Supporting employees and managers through development and change processes.
  • Freelance Coach or Consultant
    Advising and coaching organisations and leaders on a self-employed basis.
  • Talent Manager / Talent Management Specialist
    Identifying and developing high-potential employees within an organisation.

Certification information

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate for success in Performance Management & Coaching Skills, a recognized certificate in the field of health compliance.

Certificate Image

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between performance management and a traditional employee appraisal? +

The traditional annual review is just one tool — and often an outdated one. Performance management is a holistic, continuous process. It covers goal-setting, ongoing support, feedback, and development. This course explains why classical appraisal systems often fall short in German organisations — and what works better instead.

02 What legal considerations apply to performance management in Germany? +

In Germany, performance processes are closely tied to employment law. Works councils hold extensive co-determination rights (BetrVG), performance data is subject to strict data protection rules (GDPR, BDSG), and the AGG protects employees from discrimination. This course covers all of these areas in a practical way — so you can act with legal confidence.

03 Can I coach as a manager without a formal coaching qualification? +

Yes — and that is exactly what Module 4 makes possible. You will learn the fundamentals of the manager-as-coach approach, clear ethical boundaries, and concrete techniques. No formal coaching qualification is required. The course shows you how to integrate a coaching mindset into your everyday leadership practice.

04 How is underperformance handled in a legally compliant way in Germany? +

Underperformance is a sensitive topic — especially in Germany, where employment protection legislation and works council rights play a major role. Module 5 shows you how to address underperformance clearly, document it properly, and manage it supportively — without legal risk and without compromising the dignity of the employee concerned.

05 Is this certificate recognised in Germany? +

The certificate is recognised and is also a well-regarded proof of continuing professional development in the German job market. It complements existing HR, coaching, or leadership qualifications and strengthens your profile with employers and in job applications.

06 Is this course relevant for the German public sector? +

Yes. Performance management and employee development are highly relevant topics in the public sector too. While certain structures and regulations may differ, the core principles taught in this course — particularly around the legal framework and coaching skills — are directly applicable.

07 How long does the course take, and can I complete it alongside work? +

The course is fully flexible and self-paced. It is ideal for working professionals who want to upskill alongside their careers. You learn at your own pace — with no fixed attendance requirements and no rigid deadlines.

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