What Do Coaches Do? – Building the Coaching Mindset, Ep. 118 Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast
Hey coaches! This month on The Coaching Podcast our theme is – What do you do here anyway?
Let’s face it, as a coach you’ve probably been asked that question more than once! Coaches are expected to do so many different things, and it can be difficult to nail down exactly what our role is in the building. But having a firm handle on your role is essential.
In this episode, I’m talking all about mindset. Honestly, mindset is one of the biggest demands placed on coaches and we don’t talk about it enough. It takes time to figure it out and get to the right place with your coaching mindset. I know it took me time anyway. But it’s worth it!
When you have the right coaching mindset, everything else falls into place. You’ll be able to better connect with your teachers, build trust, and create a lasting impact. During the episode, I introduce you to what goes on inside the head of an instructional coach and the thing we need to do to set ourselves up for coaching success. You’ll learn why it’s important to define your coaching role, ways to get clear on your purpose, and how to have a growth mindset.
What Do Coaches Do? – Defining Your Role
When I was a coach, I met with our leadership team at the beginning of the year and each week to ensure that we were all focused on the important things that would help us reach our school vision. During the meeting, the principal asked each of us to share what we were working on. Then she’d follow up on where we were in the process, what steps we plan to take, and what help we needed from others.
These weekly meetings were overwhelming to me at first because I wasn’t sure where to start. I felt like so much needed to be done and I wasn’t clear about my role. I didn’t know whether certain things were my responsibility or not. I was figuring it out – one mistake at a time. But over time I learned and grew into my coaching role.
When I got clear about my role, it changed my mindset and how I approached my work. I learned to focus on what’s important and understand how to best support my team. I also built trust with the teachers because they knew what to expect from me.
Coaches without a defined role often feel like they’re floating from project to project or racing from fire to fire. Figuring out your coaching role, building your coaching program, and communicating effectively with teachers will help them be on board with your support. It’ll also help you focus your coaching efforts so you can be more impactful in the building.
Building The Coaching Mindset
Improving your coaching mindset is a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Just like anything else, it takes time and intentionality. But I promise it’s worth it!
As I embraced a growth mindset, I began to see my teachers making progress. I learned to look for the good in every situation and trust that the process would work. The teachers appreciated my support and trusted me to help them grow.
In the end, it all comes down to mindset. We need to believe that change is possible and that we can help make it happen. Change really does start with us!
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Thank you for listening to Buzzing with Ms. B: the Coaching Podcast. Want more coaching ideas?
Check me out at buzzingwithmsb.com and on Instagram @buzzingwithmsb.
Podcast produced by Fernie Ceniceros of Crowd & Town Creative
