The concept behind partnership being key to effective coaching relationships seems simple. At first consideration communication may seem just as simple. Communication is just as vital to effective coaching relationships, yet neither one are anything but simple.
Communication skills are one of the components of effective coaching that many instructional leaders claim to need more support in order to develop more efficiently. Many times it is initially assumed that since we talk and listen throughout our daily lives that effective communication should simply be there naturally. Knight provides 5 basic
Partnership Communication Strategies:
1. Listen
- commit to listen "Authentic listening causes a connection"
- make sure your partner is the speaker "See each conversation as a learning opportunity"
- pause before you speak and ask yourself, "Will my comment open up or close down this conversation?" "Listening is about hearing the words and being sure to process them."
2. Ask Good Questions
- be curious "When we ask good questions out of curiosity we are 100% present in the conversation."
- ask open-ended, opinion questions "elicit unlimited responses"
- be nonjudgemental "let go of the desire to give advice"
3. Find Common Ground
- commit to finding common ground "we will have healthy relationships and better conversations"
- find common denominators; avoid common dividers common denominators can be stepping stones to progress; common dividers can build stone walls
- use words that unite; avoid words that divide use words that suggest partnership or team
4. Control Difficult Emotions
- name it "awareness can sometimes be enough to keep us from being overwhelmed"
- reframe it remember even tough conversations are an opportunity to "listen, learn, have a personal victory, or detach"
- tame it keep emotions under control at all times
5. Demonstrate Love
- pay attention "respond in ways that enrich emotional connection with others"
- make lots of bids; turn toward lots of bids "constantly trying out new ways to connect"
- let it go realizing the need to let go of control of how other people feel or act
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