Coaching very much seems to be a school improvement strategy that
is in vogue at the moment.
Considering the amount of coverage it gets across social media and
other platforms, many would be forgiven for believing that it was some kind of
miracle cure for all that is wrong with our current ailing school system. As
much as I am an advocate for coaching in schools, the first thing that I will
quite openly and honestly say is, ‘it is not a cure-all!”
If, however, you are serious about creating a culture in which the
professional ailments of some parts of our system can be constructively
addressed, then along with other personalised approaches to staff
development/school improvement, it’s a good place to start.
And … why is it a good place to start? It’s a good place to start
because coaching is quite simply about building connections; building
connections both with self and with others. And surely this is what school
improvement is about. When adult to adult connections are weak a similar
fragility is witnessed within school structures and systems. Conversely, when
they are strong, school improvement feels that much less arduous.
Schools which are adept at using coaching to support school
improvement through strengthening relationships and connections, are often
those which are characterised by the three signs of a coaching culture.
They are schools which are characterised by a heightened ability
to use coaching (formally and informally) to:
1. Deepen levels of
communication and understanding
These schools understand that the first response to a question is
not necessarily the best response. They understand that to achieve great
heights (for all parties) then conversations of depth and understanding need to
be had.
They understand that when individuals are properly listened to and
discerning questions asked, more is revealed, more is understood and very often
as a direct result, meaning is derived and purpose given to the daily aspects
of school life.
2. Challenge
individuals to achieve their best
It never ceases to amaze just how difficult it can be to enable
adults working in our schools to be their best, in all situations! For
such a long time, particularly as a Head, I assumed that if you were choosing
to work in a school, you not only wanted the children to fulfil their
potential, you also wanted the same for yourself.
Looking back, I now realise how naïve I was. For whatever reason
(in fact, there are tons! Too many for me to go into now) helping adults to
fulfil their potential and really believe in themselves, is a far more complex
and circuitous route than it is for children!
Yet, there are schools through the application of certain coaching
skills that have found ways to help adults navigate this path. Very often
they will tell you the path is more spiral in its application; with places on
the journey having to be-revisited more than once. However, they accept and
understand this, knowing that coaching conversations help to steer the spiral
journey upwards and they are necessary for the growth of the individual and
their school.
3. Develop levels of
self-awareness and emotional intelligence
When individuals become familiar with coaching type conversations
that encourage them to look in-wards they became more self-aware. They
understand that their performance has as much to do with their actions, as
it does with their hidden world of thoughts, feelings and emotions. Schools
that understand this, know how to use coaching as a way to help adults understand
themselves better. Such schools are characterised by staff who have a high
level of emotional intelligence.
They are aware of the degree to which their emotions (the good and
the bad!) impact on others and they take full responsibility for this. There is
no blaming or shaming when things go wrong. Full adult responsibility is
accepted. Relationships are candid, transparent and non-judgemental. As a
result, all flourish.
Taking the First
Steps…
If you would like to begin to develop a coaching culture across
your school, then ensure you don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of our
next 4 Day Coaching Programme.
The Programme (which is approved by the Institute of Leadership
and Management) will provide senior school leaders with all the know-how
and confidence needed to effectively utilise coaching as a powerful part of
their roles and help them to implement coaching across their school.
It will also equip you with a new set of coachig skills that can
help you to…
– Manage difficult conversations successfully
– Understand how to get the best out of
different members within your team
– Facilitate better teamwork and minimise team conflict
– Develop nurturing positive, effective and supportive school
relationships
– Understand yourself better, so that you
can fully utilise your strengths in your role
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