COACHING SKILLSThe Role of the Coach

What is our goal?

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

The Big Picture...

League of Women Voters

National Level: Ruth S. Shur Fellows

State Level: Coaching Team

Local Level: Local Leadership Team

Confident, Energized League LeadersEngaged and Growing League Membership

Healthier Civic Communities Stronger Democracy

Coaches are key...

What makes a good coach?

Two Links Coaches Help Make

• Bonding—the links that tie a group together

• Bridging—the links that connect a group to others outside of its organization or network

Bonding

Build a strong organizational core• Mission-driven motivation• Can-do culture• Data-driven decision making (i.e., what works)• Purposeful innovation/change• People-focused

Bridging

• Build a strong external network• Compelling communications• Active outreach• Meaningful involvement

What makes a good coach?

According to the experts…

Good coaches speak with credibility, make a personal connection, and focus little on themselves. They listen more than they talk. They are one hundred percent present in the conversation.

Jim Knight, director of the Kansas Coaching Project, University of Kansas

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. . .• Needs good listening skills• Especially because so much of your work will be remote

A good coach. . .

• Focuses on membership and leadership development

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

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

Your #1 Goal as a State Coach

BUILD a RELATIONSHIP with the individuals you coach!

What we don’t expect from a coach

It’s a process!

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

Who are you coaching?

LWVUS State Local

A team from the local League is ideal.

League Board

Coordinator

Committee

What it looks like every month. . .

And then. . .

So what do I do again?

You actually have 4 Roles. . .

•Mentor•Cheerleader•Accountability Coach •Communicator

Mentor

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!

DISCLAIMER!

One of the keys to building trust is confidentiality.

It’s a secret…. Shhhh!

Cheerleader

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

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 and your national

coach 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

You’ll get an email each month

What you’ll see. . .

Membership Numbers• Provided to state coaching teams 2 times per year

• Can gauge progress• Check up on how well your local Leagues are inputting members

into the LWVUS database• Gives you time to debrief and recognize strengths and weaknesses

Success is More than Numbers!

• Increased visibility

• Collaboration with media and community organizations

• Connecting levels of League

• Renewed enthusiasm and pride – a “can do” attitude

• Strategic planning

Communicator

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.