Training yourself to train others? It’s easier than you think
Teaching others doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s a skill that can be learned to deliver quality outcomes and elevate the abilities possessed by others.
Coaching transforms lives, so it’s no surprise the profession is in great demand. While not everyone is a natural born leader, coaching is a skill you can learn with the help of team-leadership education.
We take a look at some of the best tips from the top coaching courses on The Suncorp Learning Campus to give you a taste of the skills and techniques you can build by signing up for some of these valuable resources:
Know the goals
Goal-setting is critical to all kinds of coaching. When the coach and coaches have clearly defined objectives they are trying to achieve, they are highly motivated towards achievement.
The GROW model is a popular way to kick off a coaching relationship. It asks people to clearly state where they want to be, where they are now, the obstacles in their way, and what their options are. From here, coaches can determine the best path to success.
Realistic, achievable goals can be formed on the basis of these responses and continually be referred to for progress monitoring.
Build rapport
Winning trust is an essential part of coaching. People are more likely to be engaged and inspired by a coach they find trustworthy.
Building rapport is the first step towards building trust and should be a priority for every coach. In a series of simple steps, coaches can help to build rapport, beginning with clearing your mind so you can focus on the coaching conversation. This is followed by calming yourself and staying focused so you can be in the moment and paying attention to not only what someone is saying but tuning into their body language and cues.
Be positive
Positivity is a powerful coaching tool and can be applied through positive reinforcement and feedback.
Coaches are encouraged to help others grow with principles that focus on strengths, not weaknesses. Coaches support people to reach their potential by using appreciative language that helps others think about what they've done well in the past, and how they can use previous successes to achieve what they want in the future.
Check in regularly
Coaching is constant guidance, not a crash course. Effective coaches set aside time each week to help individuals and teams grow their skill sets. The ACE model is one way to do this and can be a useful framework to each coaching session.
Many coaches become familiar with the ACE model, which acknowledges skills, clarifies expectations and encourages questions and performance.
Go Slow
Coaching is a marathon, not a sprint. Good coaches expect to see gradual results over time, not overnight. The practice of coaching somebody is likened to the slow, but impressive growth of a bamboo tree.
People improve and grow over time with coaching and to do this they need frequent and consistent training, encouraging and nurturing.
Coaches need to set their expectations for steady and measured, not immediate, progress.
For more insights like these and much more, check out the variety of courses available on The Suncorp Learning Campus, including Successful Coaching and Appreciative Coaching.
