Counseling quick reference
Keep this quick reference to use whenever counseling Soldiers or civilian team members.

Posted Saturday, December 2, 2006

Leaders must demonstrate these qualities to counsel effectively:

• Respect for subordinates.
• Self and cultural awareness.
• Credibility.
• Empathy.

Leaders must possess these counseling skills:

• Active listening.
• Responding.
• Questioning.

Effective Leaders avoid common counseling mistakes.  Leaders should avoid:

• Personal bias.
• Rash judgments.
• Stereotyping.
• Losing emotional control.
• Inflexible counseling methods.
• Improper follow-up.

The counseling process:

• Identify the need for counseling.
• Prepare the counseling:
  • Select a suitable place.
  • Schedule the time.
  • Notify the subordinate well in advance.
  • Organize the information.
  • Outline the components of the counseling session.
  • Plan counseling strategy.
  • Establish the right atmosphere.
• Conduct the counseling session:
  • Open the session.
  • Discuss the issue.
  • Develop a plan of action (to include the leader's responsibilities)
  • Record and close the session.
• Follow up:
  • Support the plan of action implementation.
  • Assess the plan of action.

Source: FM 6-22 Army Leadership