Why do headteachers and school leaders need coaching?
Being a headteacher can be a lonely position to be in. I know, because I’ve been there.
In my first headship, I built up a great team around me. Even though there was constant dialogue among my staff about numerous issues, there were still topics that I couldn’t really discuss. Professional fears, insecurities or talking through difficult decisions all felt like taboo subjects.
There is often no one within your work context with whom you can share exactly how you feel. Your family members are getting fed up with your complaints and your friends don’t always have time to support you. You rely on your instinct and deal with stressful situations, you use the avoidance tactics, hoping that some problems will just disappear.
When someone suggested a coach, I must admit I didn’t even know what one did. Starting to work with a coach, however, is one of the best decisions I ever made. I learned that engaging with great coaches was the way to further mine and my team’s professional development.
My coach was inspirational. She was instrumental in showing me the areas in which I needed to focus, cutting away the deadwood and supporting me in mapping a way forward . Armed with this new clarity, I was able to not only survive, but exceed all expectations in one of the most challenging schools in London.
Working with my coach was so impactful, that I too wanted to use my experience to help and inspire other headteachers in the same way.
How does it work?
Coaching is a two-way dialogue where the intention is to involve the other person in finding solutions through a process of setting goals, effective questioning, listening and appropriate challenges in a supporting and encouraging climate.
Coaches offer a unique opportunity to engage in confidential conversations and solution-focused planning. Executive coaches establish trusting relationships that foster an open dialogue and genuine conversations to get to the heart of the matter.
Through being coached, Headteachers are better equipped to accomplish goals and model effective strategies for others to learn from and put into practice.During coaching sessions, the coach supports a course of action while the headteacher creates their desired changes for themselves and for their schools.
The benefits of coaching
● improved resilience and the ability to work effectively
● more confidence in managing performance
● increased self-awareness
● time for personal development
● improved communication
● renewed enthusiasm for the job
● clear goals and steps on how to achieve them
● improved well-being
● managing change more successfully
● greater ability to prioritise and manage demands
Barriers to coaching
‘I know what I’m doing, I’m in control and I haven’t got the time.’
When we are in high stress situations, taking time out to look for and participate in a series of coaching sessions may seem to be a waste of precious working hours.
Headteachers may also feel that they already know everything they need and will not benefit from these sessions.
A coach, however, will help you further leverage your experience and the things you already know as a head, to draw you out of the details and into a clear vision of goals and steps to achieve those goals. It will provide a space and sounding board to talk though your ideas and struggles and see your way clear.
Have you ever had a goal which you failed to reach? Do you know why?
Did you have a clear plan?
Did you have clear timescales?
Did you understand the challenges and obstacles?
Did you make sure that everyone around you knew about what you are aiming for and had a chance to support you?
In a single coaching session, you can create interventions that will help with productivity, raise awareness and lead to greater long-term effectiveness and work-life balance.
To find out how I can help call 07812184277 or use the contact form on the website.
Let’s make a start today.
Executive Coaching Mentoring Headteachers Coaching in School
https://www.coaching-school-leaders.com/contact