COACHING SKILLSThe Role of the Coach

What have I gotten myself into???

Your Assignments

• 1-2 state coaching teams • State coordinator• 1 state coach for every 2 participating local Leagues

• May be new or continuing states

• A partner coach• Attend training

What it looks like every month. . .

And then. . .

Each month. . .

•1-2 calls with your state coaching teams

•1-2 calls with your partner’s state coaching teams

•1 call with the Shur Fellows team

Who are you coaching?

LWVUS State Local

State Board

State Coordinator

State Coaches

Partnership among Leagues

LWVUS Board

Shur Fellows

LWVUS Staff

League Board

Coordinator

Committee

What is a state coordinator? • Supporting and Coordinating the Coaching Team• Facilitating Communication• Modeling at the state level

It’s not just phone calls!

When and how have you been mentored

in the past?

Your #1 Goal as a State Coach

BUILD a RELATIONSHIP with the individuals you coach!

A-ha moment…The camera flashed to his coach, and the obvious struck me as interesting… Professional athletes use coaches to make sure they are as good as they can be. But doctors [and others] don’t…why did I find it inconceivable to [have] someone to come into my operating room and coach me on my surgical technique?

Personal Best: Top athletes and singers have coaches. Should you? by Atul Gawande The New Yorker, October 3, 2011

You actually have 4 Roles. . .

•Mentor•Cheerleader•Accountability Coach •Communicator

Mentor

1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.

Mentor• Provide guidance and training• Inquire about progress and challenges• Share ideas from your experience/knowledge• Debrief on recent events/activities

• What worked?• What didn’t work?• What did you learn?

• Lead them to make decisions• Support!

Cheerleader • Help local Leagues see and applaud their

successes• All about stopping and smelling the roses• Remember success breeds success• Positivity rubs off • Will be invigorating for all participating

Accountability Coach • Keeping your mentees on track

• With current plans• To continue developing new plans• Pointing out successes and how to

work on setbacks

• NOT A PUNITIVE ROLE• Don’t let your states slip back

in to old habits

Keeping on Track• Reporting consistently can help you keep track of what is

happening.• Every month, you will:

• Complete an online survey report about each local League you coach

• Usually takes about 8-10 minutes per survey• Communicates to your national coach• Saves time on calls with national coach• Gives you time to reflect

Communicator • You’re an ambassador between the levels of the League• Sharing information from state and national – and

reporting back on the needs and successes of the local Leagues.

Bringing It All Together

• Each Monthly Call:• Ground Rules• Reporting Out

• Challenges • Successes

• Monthly Guidance• Highlight resources• Set YOU up as the trainer

• Other Topics• Next Call

Create an effective atmosphere – one that attracts people.

• Run it like a meeting that respects people’s time and schedules.

• Provide opportunities for learning.• Stay positive. • Have some fun (informal chat is good).

Basic Tips • Start on time, end on time• Stick to the agenda• Have everyone identify themselves• Set some ground rules• Treat it like any other meeting – quiet location, no interruptions

• Know how to work your mute button!

• Don’t talk for too long; allow everyone to speak

Remember. . . Appreciative Inquiry?

Inquiry and change happen simultaneously!

Questions direct our attention… which directs our experience!

•What are the morale issues on your LWV board?

or •What excites you about working on this board?

Simultaneous Factor

Every moment is full of an infinite array of possibilities!

•We can only see what we have grown an eye to see.

•Look at strengths & for opportunities …

and new things will emerge.

Open More Possibilities

Yes, and. . . .

We set the tone!

How are we approaching the calls?

• Look at any challenge with a positive lens. It holds opportunities for mutual growth and for improving the relationship. Keep the big picture.

• Help to generate options from which the group can chose by ASKING questions.

• Help identify the concrete next steps to action.

• Never place blame and speak well of others.

• Be reliable in the ways that they need you

Choose your words wisely. . .

Use I-statements rather than “you” statements“You aren’t doing what we talked about on our last call.” vs. “I think there could be some missed opportunities to capitalize on.”

Use factual descriptions instead of judgments“Your event venue isn’t acceptable.” vs. “These prices seem high. Are there other options?”

Use direct language when asking others to do something.“We should really think about ways to get media publicity for this event.” vs. “Who in the League you are coaching could you ask about getting media publicity for this event?”

What makes a good coach?

A good coach . . . • Enthusiasm • Enjoys people • Strong listening skills • Ability to develop a comfortable relationship so that League leaders

can share frustrations and awkward situations that may arise • Strong verbal communication skills • Creativity and ability to identify opportunities and provide suggestions • Patient • Observant • Respectful and supportive • Clear • Empathetic • Follows through • Sense of humor• Uses positive reinforcement wherever possible

A good coach. . .

Avoids being judgmental and open to considering new ideas

•All Leagues are different•Different personalities handle challenges differently (we’ll talk more about this)

•Multiple good solutions to every problem•Guide, don’t dictate

A good coach. . .

• Focuses on membership and leadership development

• Helps local Leagues improve/expand what they are already doing

Remember. . . It’s a process!

Change takes time. . .

•You won’t see membership growth overnight

•Need to remain:• Positive• Persistent• Patient

Lifecycle of any team/group:

PHASE TEAM OUTPUT

FORMING Uncertain but optimistic

Low

STORMING Conflict surfaces Low

NORMING Sense of team emerges

Moderate

PERFORMING Fully functional Very high

Patience and persistence will pay off!

What we don’t expect from a coach

DISCLAIMER!

One of the keys to building trust is confidentiality.

It’s a secret…. Shhhh!