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¡HABLO ESPAÑOL!
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The Coach's
Responsibilities
at
I
Can Learn
 ™
- Know your students.
 Pay attention to their goals, their work and to them as human beings. Never
make assumptions about the motives that drive a student's words or actions.
Take time to learn the person's hopes, fears, and history.
- Check egos at the door.
Forget about trying to impress a student with knowledge. Satisfaction comes
not from hearing a student wonder "how do you know so much?" but in seeing the
student grow his or her skills. When coaching is done well, learners invest in
personally discovering ideas and answers, hence, they may never realize the
coach's contribution. And that should be A-OK with the coach!
- Ask questions.
What is the goal? What's causing concern? How would you like to approach
the problem? Who else might we want to include? Is there another way to look
at this? What would happen if we turned things upside down?
- Listen completely.
 Resist the temptation to give instant advice or answers, even if they're at
the tip of the tongue. Give the learner time to get a point out fully, and
only then work to develop a coaching conversation. Ignore phone calls, door
knocks, and all that other material lying on top of desks. When coaching is
underway, the most important act a coach does is to give complete attention.
- Be positive.
 Emphasize growth and goodness. Catch people doing things right and reward
them with praise. Be genuine and specific in their praise. Give the
student details about what is being praised and why. Do not shy away from
honest feedback about things that need strengthening, but even critical
feedback is framed in a non-threatening manner.
- Seek out "teaching moments."
Be alert for opportunities to reinforce values and skills. These are
"teaching moments." They may happen in formal meetings or casual
conversations; in bringing people together, in calling upon a person to share
the "how I did it" of a success story with others, or through personal
notes and emails. Praise in public, and criticize in private.
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 Inspire. It can take courage to be inspirational, to overcome your own fears.
Achieve the goal of inspiring others by your words and deeds. Keep motivated.
- Be a responsible risk-taker.
Know the rules of the road so well
that an occasional detour poses no threat. Celebrate creativity that
respects values but try things a different way. Reward innovation. Don't be
afraid to laugh at yourself or look foolish to a student in order to help get
an important point across. While helping others grow, challenge yourself
to do the same. Do not fear change or challenge. Do not hesitate to say
"I'm sorry" when mistakes are made. Even the best coaches make
mistakes.
- Celebrate discovery!
Congratulate achievement. Coaching, properly done, is tremendously
rewarding. Commemorate milestones. Mark the occasion because the
learner now has greater mastery of the material, and has enhanced
self-confidence that will help sustain efforts to achieve stated goals.
Encourage, support, and motivate!
10. Prepare your students well for the day
they will no longer need you!
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