Essential Function 1: Educators Develop and Maintain Coaching Relationships

IMPORTANCE OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTION 1: DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING COACHING RELATIONSHIPS

Why is taking time to build a coaching relationship so important to successful coaching? Read about Claire Fassio’s experience as a first year coach in Building Relationships as an Instructional Coach (Fassio, 2017) and consider how their relationship contributed to a successful experience.

OVERVIEW OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTION 1: COACHING RELATIONSHIPS

Valuing Differences

What are four words you would use to describe yourself? Are they the same words your colleagues would use? Making connections in order to build relationships is essential for coaching to be successful. To do this, a coach must be able to view experiences from the perspective of others. The qualities you might have in common with a colleague can help you make connections and build trust. You can also make connections through reflection, a lens of respect, and by learning more about the difference in how others view the world. The acronym FRAME (Teaching Tolerance, (n.d.)) can be used to remind you of strategies for valuing differences.

Figure out the facts

Figure out the facts. Seek more information, ask questions and listen.

Reflect on reality

Reflect on reality. Is it my reality or their reality? Am I looking at this through my FRAME or trying to see it through their FRAME?

Acknowledge and challenge assumptions

Acknowledge and challenge assumptions. Think about your expectations and whether they are appropriate. Are you making assumptions based on your FRAME?

Maintain an open mind

Maintain an open mind. Just because someone else’s FRAME differs from yours doesn’t make them wrong. What can you learn from them? What can they learn from you? What do you have in common?