30 July 2008
Teaching versus Coaching
Posted by Dan DeMuth under: PIM Articles .
Do you vividly remember when you learned to ride a bike? Well probably not because chances are you were a youngster at the time. But if you can reflect back on that for a moment, recall how it is that you were taught. Did they teach you by giving you a step by step process or list of instructions for how to ride? This is a well known method for learning, right? Hmm, not for bike riding. As you know, most people learn by getting on the bike and riding on their own, first with training wheels, then without, until they figure it out for themselves. Of course the learner will get some encouragement and coaching along the way.
This is the epitome of COACHING versus TEACHING. Simply stated, teaching is showing or telling someone how to do something; coaching is allowing one to learn based on what they already know and providing critical guidance only when necessary. The latter method is much more efficient in bike riding because it builds off of the individual’s innate motor skills and intuition for how to move an object. Coaching has other valid applications in sports, business, and life.
Take for example a professional sport where most players have potential that only a great coach can draw out. Surely, the athletes possess some sort of talent that cannot necessarily be taught, but seldom will they maximize potential without effective coaching. The same is true in business.
Chances are that all employees at your business have potential to do great things if they are coached effectively. Most already possess fundamental abilities that come from previous experience, at the very least from a work or schooling environment. However, a dilemma for many businesses is that although the employees possess abilities, they cannot utilize them to the fullest to help the company grow to the next level. This is especially true with mid-level employees, just below management. These employees don’t necessarily lack skills or knowledge to boost the company, but rather they need some critical coaching. Here at Performance in Motion we can help any employee in a team realize her or his strengths and weaknesses through coaching. We have a proven method for discerning what interference is holding the individual or team back, and what new possibilities or goals can be met when each team member combines pre-existing knowledge with new coaching strategies. Through our programs we establish networks of coaching where each team member/employee becomes accountable for enhancing both personal and team output. As a result, the team journeys down a new path towards enhanced efficiency, production and overall success.
2 Comments so far...
Mr. Executive Says:
9 August 2008 at 2:28 pm.
Great Topic! I bet this would apply to coaching my son’s little league baseball team. How do I learn more about your coaching programs?
Dan DeMuth Says:
13 August 2008 at 10:45 am.
Thank you for your comment! And yes, this would apply to coaching your son’s team. Reflecting on what you are learning from the experience will be the key.
Please take a look at the programs page if you have not already. There are options for both teams and individuals. Additionally, I can contact you via email with more specific information about our programs, dates, etc.
