Following are tips to help you prepare for and conduct effective counseling sessions:

	Before counseling, make sure you can state clearly what would constitute acceptable performance.
	Whenever possible, conduct the counseling session in a private place.
	Arrange adequate time for your comments as well as comments from the employee.
	Clearly state performance expectations and seek confirmation that the employee understands those expectations.
	Focus on the poor performance, not on personalities or other distractions.
	Always maintain a constructive tone, along with a calm and professional demeanor.
	Seek cooperation, NOT confrontation.
	Remember that your goal is to improve the employee's performance, not to win an argument with the employee.
	Try to end the session on a positive note by emphasizing that your mutual goal is improving the employee's performance.