Good coaching, whether provided by managers, HR professionals, or dedicated coaches, is crucial for a successful 360-degree feedback program.

To assess whether you or your colleagues have the skills to be effective, check out these seven core competencies of the world's best coaches.

Coaching Orientation

Effective coaches understand how the human mind functions, and the conflicts, whether external or unconscious, that can impede a persons growth.

They avoid simplistic, off-the-shelf solutions to complex problems.

And they keep encouraging their clients to experiment with new solutions.

Organizational Understanding

Because they operate from a systems perspective, these coaches understand the complex dimensions and needs of organizations.

So they can help individuals balance their need for change against the needs (official and unofficial) of corporate culture.

Coaching Skills

Good coaches start out with empathy and a caring attitude.

They are "active listeners", meaning that they ask insightful questions, make good contact, and constantly check that they have understood.

They have the courage to confront their clients as needed, along with the necessary gentleness to support their self-esteem

Teaching Ability

Effective coaches know how to break complex tasks down into manageable pieces, then encourage an action-and-reflection rhythm.

Equally important, they have a deep belief in the capacity of their clients to learn new skills.

Like all teachers, they have the patience to surmount obstacles that arise along the way.

Values In Action

They believe deeply in the inherent wisdom of those they coach, i.e. they have faith that they already possess the beginnings of the answers they seek.

Their work is a delicate balancing act: protecting the interests of the organization, while maintaining confidentiality with the person.

Interpersonal Skills

Good coaches show an unconditional positive regard for those they coach.

And they personally model the behavior, communication skills, and self-care they recommend.

Personal Qualities

Look around at the good coaches you know, and you'll recognize that they are generous and genuinely good human beings.

But none of this comes easy. They developed their personal maturity through life experience.

And they supplemented it by receiving their own personal coaching. It's a full circle.

So what do you think? Do you and your colleagues have the qualities that will help your people move forward?