We are taking a break from our weekly Coaches Connect Clubhouse room to give Tim and Brian an added break for their Spring Break! (Enjoy guys!)
Are you new to Clubhouse? Here’s a video from Brian Fanzo that might help! If you’re an iOS user and are not on Clubhouse yet, let me know and I’ll send you an invite! (The Android version is coming soon!) I am finding that it is an incredible place to make authentic connections with those in your industry.
Here are a few graphics that might help you navigate this new audio-only app:
Last session we gathered together to talk about Coaching Starting Points. We invited special guest, Lydia Croupe, a digital learning coach from N. Texas. Here are 8 tips for those beginning their coaching journey or coaches that needed a bit of inspiration for the new week:
FIND COACHES YOU ADMIRE
Find strong coaching friends either in your area or on social media! Lydia recommends this because as coaches you will also need to talk through situations! As moderator, Brian Sepe says “Everyone deserves a though partner.”
FIND A COACHING MODEL
Tim suggested the Google Certified Coach model or Challenge-Based Coaching. There are many choices out there, so if you’re unsure which model you prefer do some research on the different types.
FIND WELCOMING TEACHERS/CLASSROOMS
Brian suggests finding those teachers in your district or campus that will welcome your need to practice strategies or tech lessons. He also believes it helps you to have thought-partners you can trust!
READ THESE BOOKS
My suggestion for new coaches is to read! I always have believed that readers are leaders and leaders are readers! Here are the suggestions curated from the speakers after my all-time favorite book, Dare to Lead.
The Art of Coaching by Elena Aguilar
Waking the Tiger by Peter A Levine
5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick M. Lencioni
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron
The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
Mastery by Robert Green
Better Conversations by Jim Knight
Stillness is Key by Ryan Holiday
Be Real by Tara Martin
DON’T SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS
It’s easy to believe you have to have all the solutions and know all of the answers as a coach, but the truth is your role is a partnership with your educator! This means you should be working side-by-side together through a design thinking process. Be transparent when you do not have the answer and find those great coaches in your personal learning network to find it!
LISTEN, ACT, CONNECT
Be a good listener, ask great questions and make emotional connections. Focusing on these 3 actions daily will give you a great foundation for coaching individuals and teams within your organization.
YOU ARE A LEADER
Don’t wait for a title to lead. One of the best books I read as a new coach was The 360º Leader by John Maxwell. You can lead from whatever vantage point you’re standing on in any organization. Do not wait for someone to give you a specific title or salary to know you ARE a leader! Cultivate your leadership style so you become the best coach you can be for those you’re mentoring.