Maureen
Kim
Whose Agenda?One potential challenge of coaching (academic or any other sort) is answering the question: “whose agenda?” To what extent are we, as coaches, choosing the topic, directing the decisions, guiding the discoveries? Is it possible (or even desirable) for us, as coaches, to “get out of the way” (with our agenda) so that the coachee can drive the content, while we limit ourselves to offering process and space for reflection and decision? Practicing the Art of Asking Powerful Questions
In my last blog, I discussed why questions are a coach’s greatest tool and what makes questions powerful. Today I’d like to share four tips for how you can practice question asking. Remind yourself to resist giving solutions. Think of it like this: a student comes to you with a math problem. If you simply tell him the answer is 34, what learning has taken place? However, if you ask him, “What do you know about this problem?” “How is this problem similar to the one you solved last week?” “What information is given in the problem?” “What information is missing?” etc., the student will trouble shoot, problem-solve, and come to a solution with real learning occurring. The Coach’s Greatest Tool: Asking Powerful Questions
Insight. Experience. Motivation. Know-how. All important factors that contribute to a coach’s success. But none of these yield positive results more effectively than asking powerful questions. If a coach asks the right questions to turn-on a student’s thinking, engage her in problem-solving, and mobilize action, he’s done his job whether or not he’s an expert of the situation or dilemma at hand. This is because the coaching model depends on students generating their own solutions and approaches to challenges, rather than being told by a coach what to do. And nothing helps students think through these processes like pointed, powerful questions. Coaching to Cultivate Optimism
While academic coaching is a great tool for helping students hone study skills, improve academic performance, and make better choices, it can also be used to cultivate a sense of optimism—a key ingredient for life success. Martin Seligman’s pioneering research shows that people with an optimistic attitude perform better in school and on the job, and are more willing to persevere when facing challenges. However, optimism is more than simply seeing the glass half full. It’s a mindset that embraces the notion that with effort, the outcome of a situation can be positively influenced. Coaching on Strengths and Weaknesses
As academic coaches, we see it all the time: a student intent on a nursing career, driven by a nurturing personality, a desire to have a positive impact on people’s lives, and the belief that a nursing degree will make her employable in economically uncertain times. The glitch: her low math scores on college entrance exams and poor performance in high school math classes. Many students fail to realize the math skills (especially the often dreaded statistics course!) necessary to complete a nursing degree. Coaching for Change
Promoting change is at the heart of coaching. In some ways, it’s one of the key ingredients that separate coaching from therapy or counseling. Think of stage coaches that transported people in centuries ago. Academic coaches help transport students by supporting necessary change. Getting Grit
Years ago, I decided to train for and run a triathlon. I invested hours grunting and hurting and running and swimming and gasping for air. I wanted to learn to ride a bicycle with my shoes clipped to the pedals, so I spent one memorable afternoon in my backyard falling over repeatedly with my bicycle falling on top of me, mashing and slicing my legs. (I thought the “soft” grass surface would help me out, but I later learned that the hard pavement was what I need to get momentum to stay upright!) The slogan I reminded myself of over and over was “the woman who finishes this race is not the same woman who started it”. It was true for me. As I crossed the finish line, I whispered to myself, “YOU are a new woman! You are now the sort of woman who completes triathlons!” Weeks of pain and failure had resulted in a pushed boundary, physically and mentally. Coaching and Conflict Resolution
Conflict or crises, according to the Chinese character “wei ji”, is a mixture of “danger” and “opportunity”. (Or as Chinese philologist Victor Mair argues, a mixture of “danger” and a “crucial point”.) The danger is obvious, as relationships can be damaged – sometimes grievously – by serious conflict. But the opportunity is also real, as growth and change often come as a result of the discomfort and stress of conflict. Asking “Big Picture” Coaching Questions
The student in your office (or classroom) is in big trouble — again. This time, he had chosen to put an expletive-laden note in a classmate’s backpack, thinking perhaps his handwriting would not be identifiable. (Note to students: never underestimate the handwriting-identification powers of a teacher!! They read hundreds of student assignments and tests each year!) Academic Coaching: Tips for Being a Better Listener
My last blog talks about the three levels of listening—surface, deep-level, and intuitive—and how academic coaches need to move in and out of all three levels during any coaching session. Understanding some of the details of a given situation is important, but coaches don’t necessarily need to hear every twist and turn and become bogged down by the minutia of some stories. Often, what is not being said, or the tone and body language of the student is just as important as the actual story being told. To listen effectively so that you can hear the words, read the body language, and intuit deeper messages is a skill that develops over time. Whether you're in or transitioning to the world of work, college, high school, or middle school, LifeBound has the resources to help you succeed. Select your area of interest in the tabs above for books, online resources, tips, and more that are specific to your needs.We offer these resources to help you navigate decisions, options and choices to make the most out of your interests, your abilities, gifts and talents:
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