Tag Archives: coach

learning by doing

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Our Keith Webb workshop was so good! I am very grateful for my teammates who facilitated our training with excellence. I want to share two of my highlights with you.

1 – First, the workshop used adult-learning (andragogy) many times everyday. 

I enjoy attending trainings when the facilitator uses adult-learning principles. I also appreciate the opportunity to add some new creative ideas to my toolbox.

Some key adult-learning principles:

  • Honor the knowledge and experience of the audience
  • Allow the adult learners to self-direct their learning by planning – as much as possible – what content to cover
  • Make the workshop task or problem-oriented using realistic and relevant situations rather than content-oriented.
  • Use varied activities for multiple learning styles and information retention.

These are some of the creative adult-learning activities we experienced during the workshop:

  • Personal reflection time to record what we hoped to learn as well as our desired coaching topics before beginning the workshop
  • Practiced coaching in pairs, triads, and speed-rotating around the table
  • Coached on real life issues
  • Reviewed material by teaching it back to our peers
  • Acted out concepts, watched videos, worked in small groups, created metaphors, and asked for feedback to better learn the concepts
  • Summarized the highlights and action steps at the end of each day

2 – Second, the workshop demonstrated that even while stumbling through a new method and making many mistakes, people discovered break-through ideas that were encouraging and hope-filled.

Personally, I considered some of the deeper heart issues behind one of my struggles, cried, laughed, and left the workshop with practical and do-able action steps.

This is the power of coaching. When a coach asks powerful questions, listens with full engagement, helps move the coachee toward action, and trusts God to do the transformational work… great things happen!

How can you integrate some of these adult-learning ideas in your next training / teaching / workshop opportunity?

Again, to learn more about Keith Webb’s coaching model, you can buy the book HERE, read Keith’s blog, or look up one of his workshops via his website HERE. Highly recommended. 🙂

Other posts about Keith Webb’s coaching model: how’s that working for you? and want to be a good coach?

 

want to be a good coach?

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Keith Webb's "The Coach Model"

Coaching values the coachee’s past experience, honoring his/her knowledge and
decision-making skills, and fostering ownership of chosen action steps. 

Keith Webb’s, The Coach Model, offers an excellent process that helps me to focus on coaching rather than talking, and enables me to help the persons I’m coaching discover solutions for themselves. You’ll notice that Webb’s five process steps spell COACH so that it easy for to remember. Here is a quick summary of how it works:

CONNECT — How are you?

A good coach begins the conversation catching up on anything that has been going on since the last time together. This “small talk” helps to build relationship trust and ensures there is no major distraction going on that might sabotage the discussion that day. An especially difficult situation may require rescheduling the appointment or simply acknowledging the trial may lessen the pressure enough to continue with the conversation.

During the Connect time, a good coach will also ask about previous action steps. The question, “What progress did you make on your action steps?” positively assumes progress, validates partial completion, and focuses on what worked well. This is also a great time to address any struggle or failure and help the coachee adjust the action steps if necessary.

OUTCOMES — What would you like to work on today?

Once the past action steps have been reviewed, it is time to for the coachee to state his/her desired outcomes for the meeting. A good coach helps the coachee by asking questions that narrow the topic enough to make progress in the time allotted. Some questions that help:

  • Explore: What might be the deeper issues? What do you want to achieve?
  • Clarify: What do you mean by…? Could you give me an example of…?
  • Focus: Which part of the problem would you like to work on today?

AWARENESS — What can you discover about this issue?

Once the coachee settles on a topic, a good coach asks lots of powerful, open-ended, questions to help the coachee reflect, increase perspective, and consider different angles that might be helpful.

A good coach will be careful to ask questions that benefit the coachee. For example, a coach doesn’t need to know all the details of past situations, so better questions focus on what the coachee wants to see in the future.

Tell me about the conflict.
 vs
What would excellent resolution of the conflict look like?

COURSE — What will you do this week to move forward?

Now it’s time for action! Once again good questions help the coachee generate a variety of possible action steps, evaluate the options, and then choose the best one(s). Using SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Timely) goals ensures the coachee confirms the what, how, by when, and with-what-help details of the actions, increasing the follow-through.

HIGHLIGHTS —  What are your “take-aways” from our conversation?

“We build our brains by repeating things.” ~ Keith Webb

A good coach closes the conversation by asking summary questions for the coachee to review and repeat newly gained awareness or knowledge and useful or meaningful aspects from the appointment. This helps to embed the learning and give some feedback to the coach also.

If you want to learn more about this process and increase your coaching skills, I highly recommend Keith Webb’s book, The Coach Model. You can also follow his BLOG or attend one of his workshops.

I’d love to hear from you… What are your best tips for coaching well?  What process do you use for coaching? 

_________________________

You might also like: how’s that working for you?, a coaching process you can use, asking powerful questions,  or questions for a destination

My word for 2015: Empower

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It did not take a lot of thought to pick my word for this coming year. The idea was on the forefront of my mind almost immediately. In the years past, it has sometimes taken more time and consideration, and I have picked words for attitudes or growth that I needed personally: authentic (2012), courage (2013), and fulfill (2104).

rocket IMG_9382This year I want to focus my energies more towards others. I have received great development, encouragement, and blessing in the last few years. I want to share that with others. So my word for 2015 is EMPOWER.

My husband read this great quote and sent it to me. It fitly describes the purpose for my life efforts this next year.

As we look ahead into the next century,
leaders will be those who empower others.
                                            Bill Gates

I’m not sure what “empower” will look like for me, but I can guess that it will include a few of these things:

Investing time coaching and mentoring others.

Asking more and better questions and “preaching” less.

Saying “no” to doing anything someone else could do.

Controlling less.

Encouraging more.

Humility.

Paying attention and observing others.

Resourcing others with materials, trainings, and assessments – anything that will build confidence and competence in others to do and be their best.

Praying for others more.

Believing more in others’ abilities and expressing my belief to them.

Celebrating with others.

I envision in-fueling people (family, friends, other leaders around the world) with whatever they need to go places and do things that I can’t even imagine.

I look forward to seeing what they will do. Bring it on 2015!

What do you think EMPOWER looks like? What is your word for 2015?

una evaluación de corazón para líderes

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No puedes liderar si nadie te sigue.

Por otro lado, una gran cantidad de gente no piensa que son líderes, ya que no tienen un título o una posición de liderazgo, pero otros están viendo a ellos y siguiendo su ejemplo todo el tiempo. Todos podemos aprender a dirigir mejor.

La semana pasada tuve el privilegio de asistir a la Cumbre Global de Liderazgo de Willow Creek. Bill Hybels, fundador de la Cumbre, habló primero. Compartió tres lecciones de liderazgo muy reñidas de su experiencia. Ésta es mi adaptación de su primer punto:

stethoscopeTOMAR CUIDADO CON EL CORAZÓN

“A menudo, los líderes con el más alto nivel de visión y pasión tienen la conciencia más bajo del espíritu de su equipo.”
~ Bill Hybels

Los líderes pueden estar tan entusiasmados con su visión y sus estrategias que los seguidores comienzan a pagar el precio. El líder empieza a juzgar que todos los demás trabajan menos para las metas que ellos. El líder luego determina que si los seguidores no cuidan a la visión, entonces el líder no tiene que preocuparse por el corazón de los seguidores… y esos seguidores entonces son prescindibles.

Esta actitud no siempre se expresa en voz alta,
pero todo el mundo lo siente.

Algunas maneras de protegerte contra este error y realmente preocuparte por tu gente:

  • Hacer una evaluación objetiva y externa. Invita a un equipo de profesionales, consigue un coach, pregúntale a un amigo para averiguar lo que tus seguidores están pensando y sintiendo. Pídale a alguien que te de una retroalimentación honesta acerca de cómo estás tratando a tu equipo (o estudiantes, o hijos…) con tus actitudes y acciones.
  • Asegurarte de que el líder y el equipo “se adueñen” de la cultura deseada. Si el líder no predica con el ejemplo, otros se sienten frustrados con la hipocresía y no abrazan ni aplican la cultura tampoco.
  • Tomar en serio la capacitación de los líderes que dirigen a otras personas. Algunas personas simplemente no deben liderar. Si otros continuamente sufren heridas, están desanimados, retenidos o frustrados por un líder – ¡haz algo al respecto! Hybels dijo: “Las personas se unen a las organizaciones, pero dejan a los gerentes.”
  • Aumentar el nivel de franqueza en las evaluaciones / revisiones. Un formato fácil de usar son los categorías de Comenzar, Parar y Continuar… ¡y que sean específicas! Las personas (¡incluyendo a los niños!) desesperadamente quieren saber, “¿Cómo lo estoy haciendo?” No pueden madurar o crecer en áreas, si no saben qué es lo que necesitan mejorar.

La forma más amable de retroalimentación es la verdad.

  • Practicar un compromiso implacable con la resolución de conflictos. Ve a los conflictos no como una carga, sino como oportunidades para fortalecer la relación. (¡más acerca de esta posibilidad en un post futuro!)

¡Guau! Tengo mucho que trabajar aquí… y eso fue apenas su primer punto! Voy a escribir más de las sesiones en las próximas entradas.

¿Hay algo que añadirías a esta lista? ¿Cómo cuidas el corazón y el espíritu de las personas que te siguen?

un grito

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¡El 8 de marzo es el Día Internacional de la Mujer! Puede que no estés enterado de esto. No es una gran celebración en los Estados Unidos, tal vez si lo sea donde tú vives.

Quizá no hayas planeado actividades extra o un menú especial para este día. Si olvidaste invitar a tu familia o amigos para la celebración, está bien. ¡Pensé que podríamos celebrar aquí!

shouting-for-joy

Dado que viví casi 20 años en América Latina, sé que no se necesita de una razón oficial para tener una celebración. Siempre puede ser momento para la fiesta. Cuando leí que el 8 de marzo es el Día Internacional de la Mujer, de inmediato comencé a tener una fiesta en mi corazón mientras reflexionaba en aquellas mujeres maravillosas que han estado en la jornada de la vida conmigo.

Primero comencé a pensar en mi familia… Mi valiente mamá que está luchando contra el cáncer y quien acaba de perder a su esposo pero que continúa amándome y a otros. Mis hermanas quienes han luchado sus batallas personales a lo largo de los años, pero están creciendo y aprendiendo y dando sacrificialmente a otros. Mis hijas que me hacen sentir orgullosa al convertirse en mujeres generosas, sensibles, creativas, fuertes, cuidadosas.

shout Newsbie

Nunca podría terminar de hacer la lista de las mujeres especiales en mi vida que han sido buenas amigas, coaches, mentoras y ejemplos de inspiración para mi, y mientras sus rostros pasan por mi mente, puedo recordar conversaciones y experiencias que cambiaron la vida, y mi alma se siente renovada y lista para cualquier desafío que la vida pueda traer.

También vinieron a mi mente mis amigas… amigas de todas las etapas de la vida y de todas partes del mundo. ¡Cómo han traído risas, aventura, consuelo y desafíos a mi mundo! Hemos charlado por horas, trabajado hombro a hombro en proyectos con valor eterno, y hemos llorado y nos hemos abrazado en medio del dolor. Soy una mejor persona debido a la inversión que ellas hicieron en mi vida.

Jimmy Jack Kane / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

Así mismo, pensé en la mujeres que nunca conocí, pero que he leído de ellas o he leído sus libros o blogs. Mujeres líderes y aquellas que han sufrido grandes tragedias. Mujeres que han luchado por otras mujeres para que éstas encuentren su lugar en impactantes alianzas divinas con hombres por el bienestar y cambio y esperanza en nuestro mundo.

Y hablando de hombres, no puedo olvidar mencionar a los que han creído en mi, que me han patrocinado, y que siempre se han asegurado de que yo encuentre las escaleras hacia la plataforma única que Dios ha diseñado para mi. Mi increíble esposo, Steve, es el que encabeza esta lista.

He escrito de estas personas especiales a lo largo de los años, pero eso nunca será suficiente. Su influencia está gravabada en mi mente, corazón, y alma. Por lo que esta semana, tomaré ventaja del Día Internacional de la Mujer para dar un grito por todas estas personas especiales. Estoy muy agradecida por que nuestros caminos hayan cruzado y nuestras vidas se hayan intersectado.

¿Te unirás a mi fiesta? ¿A quién te gustaría honrar en este Día Internacional de la Mujer? Nombra en tu comentario a las personas especiales… ¡Me encantaría celebrar contigo!

a shout out

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March 8th is International Women’s Day! You may not have known that. It is not a high-profile holiday here in the US, maybe it is where you live.

You may not have planned any extra activities or special menu items for the day. If you forgot to invite your family and friends over for the celebration, that’s OK. I thought we could celebrate here!

shouting-for-joy

Since living almost 20 years in Latin America, I know that you do not need an official reason to have a party. It can always be fiesta time! When I read that March 8th is International Women’s Day, I immediately began to have a party in my heart as I reflected on the amazing women who have been on my life journey with me.

I began thinking about family first… My brave Mom who is battling cancer and just lost her husband but continues on loving me and others. My sisters who have each fought their own personal battles through the years, but are growing and learning and giving sacrificially to others. My daughters who make me so proud as they become thoughtful, generous, sensitive, creative, strong, caring women.

shout Newsbie

I could never list all the special women who have been friends, coaches, mentors, and inspirational examples for me, but as their faces flashed through my mind, I remember life-changing conversations and experiences together, and my soul feels refreshed and ready for any challenge life may bring.

Friends also came to mind… friends from all stages of life and all parts of the globe. How they have brought laughter, adventure, comfort and challenge to my world! We have talked for hours, worked side by side on eternally valued projects, and cried and hugged through pain. I am a better person because of their investment in my life.

Jimmy Jack Kane / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

I thought, too, of the women I have never met, but I have read about them or read their books or blogs. Women leaders and those who have suffered great tragedies. Women who advocate for women to find their place in powerful divine alliance with men for good and change and hope in our world.

And speaking of men, I cannot forget to mention the ones who have believed in me, sponsored me, and always ensured that I found the stairs to the unique platform God designed for me. My incredible husband, Steve, is the first one on this list.

I have written about some of these special people through the years, but I can never do them all justice. Their influence is engraved in my mind, heart, and soul. So this week, I am taking advantage of International Women’s Day to give a shout out to these special ones. I am so grateful for paths that crossed and lives that intersected.

Will you join my fiesta? Who would you like to honor on this International Women’s Day? Name your special people in the comments… I’d love to celebrate with you!

Catching Fire leadership

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Catching FireLast night I went to see the premiere of “Catching Fire” in the IMAX theater with my niece and other family members. She was very excited. I had not read the books, and I’m not a big movie fan, but I was there to enjoy the experience with her and make a special memory! Popcorn and candy are always fun!

I admit that I liked the movie more than I expected. I thought it was better than the first film “The Hunger Games”: on-the-edge-of-your-seat action, intertwined relationships, and a battle for the underdog. Except for the futuristic, sci-fi elements (not my favorite film genre), the story grabbed my attention, and I forgot everything about real life for the entire 2 1/2 hours.

This morning when I woke up and my mind went back to my MA courses, I started thinking about some fun connections between the movie and the leadership themes I have been studying. Here are a few of them…

The main protagonist characters, Katniss and Peeta, demonstrate leadership character with courage, sacrifice, loyalty, love and care for others, and convictions that can not be bought or beaten out by corrupt powers. They win the sympathy of many with their integrity, perseverance, and compassion, and become attractive role models for the youth.

The heroes have a compelling vision – They symbolize hope for the future and the belief for many that together they can improve life for themselves and for those who come after them. Katniss and Peeta plan some tactical steps for survival and also prepare for unknown and unexpected circumstances and challenges.

Katniss and Peeta work with an amazing team – Coaches and mentors help with marketing, strategy, spokesperson roles and survival training, providing experience, knowledge, and resources. They know they could never survive the competition without the help of others.

Partners and Alliances are a key part of the survival plan – These partnerships require trust, respect, watching each other’s back, working together, each offering their unique expertise and help from their strength areas. The intense focus on an external enemy allows them to accept and appreciate others who are very different.

These are just some ideas that I thought of quickly as I enjoyed remembering the movie. I’m sure there are many more. If you’ve seen the movie or read the book, what principles do you see?

And… if you are struggling with a type of “The Capital” in your own life or at work, may the odds be ever in your favor! 🙂 The application of some of these leadership principles might help!

liderazgo “En Llamas”

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Catching FireAnoche fui a ver el estreno de “En Llamas (Catching Fire) en el teatro IMAX con mi sobrina y otros miembros de la familia. Ella estaba muy emocionada. No he leído los libros y no ni siguiera soy una gran fan de las películas, pero yo estaba allí para disfrutar de la experiencia con ella y ¡tener un recuerdo especial! ¡Las palomitas de maíz y los dulces siempre son divertidos!

Admito que la película me gustó más de lo que esperaba. Creo que es mejor que la primera película de “Los Juegos del Hambre”: mucha acción, relaciones entrelazadas y una batalla por los desvalidos. A excepción de los elementos futuristas de ciencia ficción (no es mi   género de película favorito), la historia me atrajo y me olvidé de todo lo relacionado con la vida real por el lapso de las 2 1/2 horas.

Esta mañana, cuando me desperté y mi mente regresó a mis cursos de maestría, empecé a pensar en algunas conexiones divertidas entre los temas de la película y los del liderazgo que he estado estudiando. Éstos son algunos de ellos…

Los protagonistas, Katniss y Peeta, demuestran el carácter de liderazgo de la valentía, el sacrificio, la lealtad, el amor y el cuidado de los demás y convicciones que no se pueden comprar o destruir por poderes corruptos. Ellos ganan la simpatía de muchos con la integridad, la perseverancia y la compasión y se convierten en ejemplos atractivos para los jóvenes .

Los héroes tienen una visión convincente – Ellos simbolizan la esperanza del futuro y la creencia de muchos de que juntos pueden mejorar la vida para sí mismos y los que vengan después de ellos. Katniss y Peeta planean algunos pasos tácticos para su supervivencia, y también se preparan para las circunstancias y desafíos desconocidos e inesperados.

Katniss y Peeta trabajan con un equipo increíble – Los entrenadores y mentores ayudan con el marketing, la estrategia, las funciones de portavoz y el entrenamiento de supervivencia, ofreciendo experiencia, sabiduría y recursos. Ellos saben que nunca podrían sobrevivir las batallas competitivas sin la ayuda de otros.

Socios y Alianzas son una parte clave del plan de supervivencia – Estas relaciones de colaboración requieren la confianza, el respeto, cuidar la espalda el uno del otro, el trabajo juntos, cada uno ofreciendo su experiencia única y la ayuda de sus habilidades. Su intensa concentración en un enemigo externo les permite aceptar y apreciar a otros que son muy diferentes.

Estas son sólo algunas ideas que pensé rápido mientras disfrutaba recordar la película. Estoy seguro de que hay muchas más. Si tú has visto la película o leído el libro, ¿qué principios ves?

… y si estás luchando con un tipo de “El Capitolio” en tu propia vida o en el trabajo, ¡que las probabilidades siempre estén a tu favor! 🙂 ¡La aplicación de algunos de estos principios de liderazgo puede ayudar!

creating more leaders

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“Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” – Tom Peters

ID-100162328 foto76 freedigitalphotos.net

New leader training is essential for our organization. During the first year or so, mentors have the privilege of imparting vision, identity DNA, and confidence into our new leaders through a teaching, training, and coaching process. This training sets the attitude, knowledge, and skill foundation for many years ahead.

Every few years our organization revamps our training programs so they are attractive in the current context, relevant for our constantly changing world, and effective at preparing new leaders. Last year, my husband and I were part of a global task force to determine new core desired outcomes for our training programs worldwide. This year, we had the exciting job of helping our area leaders around the globe implement the changes.

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made.
And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.
And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”
– Vince Lombardi

Change is not easy. Each area contains many countries, each with its own culture, language, human resource, time, and financial challenges. Leaders are very busy, and many priorities and crisis vie for attention. At times the biggest challenges are the attitudes of loyalty to the “old ways” and fear or resistance to change. Sometimes pride gets in the way when a leader was the creator or director of the prior system.

Some area leaders invested a lot of time in the valuable task of aligning others to the new ideas. Communications, visits, and sharing of materials help others to engage and involve in the process. Other leaders gathered a task force together for the project. Working towards change as a group or team shares leadership and ownership of the effort. Many are busy preparing translations for their countries. This is all part of the investment in our future leaders.

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
– John Fitzgerald Kennedy

One of the best aspects of the process is seeing the leaders get excited about the new paradigms they discover as they work: more interactive learning and creative delivery, more emphasis on coaching, and more sessions focus on the heart, servant leadership, character, and stewardship… As the leaders learn, they become enthusiastic about championing the new materials and methodology in their areas.

“The more seriously you take your growth,
the more seriously your people will take you.”
– John Maxwell

Those who help train and mentor our new leaders are building the future of our organization. They set an example with their lives; their attitudes, words, and actions reflect their values and greatly influence the new leaders. We desperately need trainers and mentors who prioritize the new leaders and invest in their development. Such a privilege. Such a responsibility.

How can you contribute to a culture that creates new leaders?

What can you do to continue learning to improve your leadership?

a coaching process you can use

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I get my love of sports from my Mom. Actually my Dad also encouraged my individual sports (tennis, skiing, running), but Mom is the one who loves all team sports and watches the games faithfully. I even like sports movies, especially those where the underdog team or player rallies to a miraculous win at the end.

Coach - courtesy of morgueFile free photosIn all of those movies and in real life, the person who inspires, comes alongside, and brings out the player’s best for the unexpected, against-all-odds, fist-pumping success is the coach. A great coach knows the player’s strengths and weaknesses, and they believe that the player can grow and improve. The coach cannot do the hard work for the player, but they can help the player move forward towards their dream.

Even outside of sports, coaching is important. Parenting older children, mentoring friends, and professional job situations all offer opportunities to coach.In our organization we use a coaching process that is transformational for coaching situations. Instead of trying to fix the problem or give advice, this simple process guides a conversation from the present “Where are you now?” to the future “Where do you want to be?”

The first step is to focus the conversation. Ask the person being coached, “What can I help you with today?” or “What would be most helpful for you to discuss today?” or “What is the focus of our appointment?” It may take a while for them to distill their needs or thoughts into a simple answer, but this is important since there is no way to work intentionally on an unclear goal.

Second, explore options. Brainstorm without a commitment to any particular idea at this time. The coach asks, “How do you think you could…?” “What are ways you might…?” “Where could you find…?” “Who could help you with…?”

Third, plan next steps. After brainstorming many options, it is time for the person to choose the best option that surfaced. It is important to ensure that the chosen option is SMART: specific • measureable • achievable • relevant • timely (due date). Help your coachee plan carefully and completely by asking them, “And then…? And then…?”

A crucial, but often neglected, fourth step is to address the obstacles. Good coaches deal with reality. Assuming a simple, clear, unchallenged path to the goal is naive. A really big obstacle might return the conversation to the second step to explore other options; the discussion does not have to be linear.

Last, take time to allow the coachee to review and close. The coach should not do the review. Make sure the person being coached can summarize what they have decided to do and who will hold them accountable for their plan.

A first conversations using this process may feel stiff or unnatural – probably because we usually do a lot more talking and a lot less question-asking – but it will feel more comfortable with practice. You will like the results. As you coach, praying, observing, and listening well are key.

… And don’t forget to celebrate and encourage the “wins”! A good coach knows how to do the vocal-cord-stressing, all-body gyrating, don’t-cares-who-sees-me victory dance along with their players!

Who could you take through this coaching process? How can you improve your coaching skills?

This printable card can help you remember this coaching process. __________________________________

missional women button

(It is a privilege for me to write as a contributor for Missional Women. This post was originally published there.)