Microsoft Manager Coaching Sessions Portal
Join The How Skills to learn management skills and techniques around neuroinclusion in the workplace.
This session is designed to allow Microsoft managers to ask questions and get answers from a workplace job coach about neurodiversity and neuroinclusion in the workplace.
Upcoming Microsoft Manager Coaching Sessions:
Tuesday, September 15th at 1 pm PST
Thursday, October 8th at 7 am PST
Tuesday, November 17th at 1 pm PST
Thursday, December 10th at 7 am PST
Microsoft Manager Coaching Sessions Description:
This session is designed to allow managers to ask questions and get answers from a workplace job coach about neurodiversity and neuroinclusion in the workplace. These sessions are customized based upon questions submitted by managers, however typical discussions may include learning about:
What neurodiversity and neuroinclusion means and why they matter to Microsoft
Explore the challenges and opportunities that neurodivergent people face in the work environment, and how you can support them as a manager
Create a neuroinclusive culture that values, leverages, and accommodates the strengths of neurodivergent employees
Provide effective feedback, coaching, and mentoring to neurodivergent people based on their diverse needs and preferences
Develop strategies to foster a neuroinclusive culture that celebrates and harnesses the potential of neurodivergent people
Facilitated by: Microsoft Accessibility Team & Workplace Job Coaches from The How Skills
Attendees: People managers only. This program is prioritizing engaging and equipping our manager community, for additional resources and training available to all Microsoft team members visit: https://aka.ms/NDResources.
Session length: 45 minutes
Frequency: 1x month
Need More Support? Review our Manager 1-Pagers!
What to do When an Employee Discloses
9 Ways to Support Employee Growth and Development
6 Examples for Supporting Neurodiverse Employees
Creating Inclusive Environments
Manager Strategies for Providing Clear and Actionable Feedback
6 Tips for Improving Employee Performance
1:1 Microsoft Workplace Coaching with The How Skills
Are you or your report interested in working with an Workplace Coach from The How Skills? Our Masters and Doctorate-trained educators are experts in pedagogy and executive functioning, and we specialize in helping teach employees and managers to do their best work with less stress.
To learn more about Workplace Coaching offerings through Microsoft, contact your accommodations team. Microsoft employees with a documented disability (this includes diagnoses like ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, dyslexia, or temporary medical conditions), can take to request coaching or other accommodations.
To initiate the process through Microsoft by emailing workaccomteam@microsoft.com They can share more about the process to be approved for a coaching accommodation.
To initiate the process independently or using Perks+, you can sign up for a FREE and confidential consultation.
Additional Resources for Microsoft Employees
Self-Guided Course
Our Executive Function Learning Course offers on-demand video modules, downloadable resources, and strategies you can learn at your own pace. Topics include Starting Tasks, Building Habits, Managing Time & Hyperfocus, and more.
Blog Posts
The How Skills blog is a comprehensive resource dedicated to highly practical, science-backed strategies on topics ranging from task initiation to inclusive workplace leadership. Designed for students, parents, and working professionals alike, the content breaks down complex cognitive concepts into actionable tools.
1:1 Coaching
Do you or your report need more in-depth support? Apply for our 12-week workplace coaching program and meet with a dedicated coach to help you focus on your goals and find customizable strategies that work best for you.
Microsoft Employees Share about The How Skills
"Before this program, I had been struggling greatly at work for over two years. Now, after this short period of time spent coaching, my stress levels and ability to manage my day to day work have improved dramatically and work is finally something I can actually handle."
— Microsoft Employee
"Throughout the whole process and the touch point meetings I was able to see how I needed to adjust my approach to make a more accommodating environment for my direct report in the program. I not only applied what we discussed to them, but broadly my entire team. Through these sessions I was able to chart a direct correlation to the positive changes in communication, and creating an environment that is open and everyone is on the same page."
— Microsoft Manager
"My coach provided the perfect amount of both acceptance and feedback to help me grow as an employee and develop better work habits. Thanks to my coaches help, I have seen my productivity rise significantly (prompting recognition from teammates and management) and I have been less stressed because I know I have my work under control."
- Microsoft Employee
FAQs
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The How Skills specializes in personalized coaching for executive function skills. We work with employees, managers, teams, students, and adults to develop tailored strategies and tools that help people do their best work. Together, we develop sustainable systems for a more productive, fulfilling, and balanced approach to learning, working, and navigating life.
We’ve also been working with Microsoft since 2021 to help both employees and managers improve how they work and build a culture of inclusion. -
We know that executive function coaching can make a huge difference for people with and without disabilities. That’s why Microsoft has expanded this program to help any employee who wishes to work with a coach in a 1:1 capacity access these resources as a benefit.
We also encourage employees to involve their manager or supervisor in our three 30-minute manager support sessions throughout the course of their program. When we can work with both the employee and their supervisor, this is where we see the most success. The goal of these sessions are to provide education and resources to a manager to enable them to better support you. All content/topics discussed in your coaching sessions will remain confidential and will not be shared with your manager or supervisor.
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Microsoft encourages and welcomes every employee to avail themselves of these resources, whether or not they have disclosed a disability or a particular executive functioning challenge to their supervisor or HR. That said, The How Skills does measure aggregated usage data to ensure our content and services are meeting Google’s needs.
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Team trainings can help to improve overall team alignment, educate others on inclusive best practices, and create communication expectations within your team. If you are interested in hosting a Neurodiversity and Best Practices Training for your team, please reach out to hello@thehowskills.com to learn more about setting up a PO.