Coaching Workshop (part 2)

Today was the second day of the coaching course. We covered some more theory including effective questioning and listening, preferred communication styles and goal setting (SMART Goals). We had an opportunity to do some practice coaching with other members of the group and also to be coached on issues of our choosing. I chose ‘removing the “them” and “us” culture’ and ‘Imbedding ICT across a school’. Again, I found both sessions very valuable.

I know that I have an overactive imagination and sometimes I find it difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. As a result I tend to think about lots of things badly and not one or two things well! The effective questioning of the coach combining open and closed questions which stretched my imagination and at times challenged my beliefs helped me gain a clear perspective on my views on both of these issues.

I also found it easier today when I adopted the role of the coach. The questions seemed to fall into place better and I was able to offer a much more objective view which wasn’t influenced by my personal opinion.

For the final part of the day we talked about running a coaching session and how we might go about building a coaching culture within East Lothian. We have all been tasked to find three people who would like to be coached over six one hour periods. In reality I am unlikely to start this until after the summer term. However, if you would like to be coached then drop me an email. I have taken a lot away from the last two days and am starting to build up a picture in my mind of where we might go as an authority with this.