8 Tips for Introducing Coaching to Colleges

Steps to a Coaching Classroom: Newsletter 5 EXTRA

This edition is for coaches who want to bring coaching into their local colleges.

"I might not be able to pay teachers more money, or give them the public recognition they deserve for the amazing work that they do, but I can encourage professional coaches to offer students at their local colleges the experience of a coaching approach. And that will be my contribution to a better world." Martin Richards

In order to get more coaching assignments, you must be seen and heard by the people who want to learn more about coaching and give them reasons why they should redirect their funding so they can hire you as their coach!

You need to give them reasons to redirect their funding to coaching assignments with you!

Currently, few colleges employ coaches. The education world is an untapped market. What they lack in individual buying power, they make up for in numbers. Huge numbers. Everyone involved in education needs a coach; students, teachers, college admin and parents. If you can help them realise that - by gaining their trust and demonstrating the benefits of being coached - you will have entered a market of millions.

Self-promotion Tips for Coaches

It seems to me that coaches are better at coaching than they are at selling. We are trained to 'make space', 'listen actively', 'ask open-ended questions' and (most challenging from a sales perspective) 'set aside our own agendas'. That last skill is great when you are coaching, less so when selling.

Whatever you are talking about, be the coach. Use your coaching skills. But have a clear agenda, know what you want to get from the sales conversation.

It works well to first offer what the college wants or needs in the form of a talk, then over-deliver on the contents and by engaging the students. Add your coaching offer based on the trusting relationship platform you have created.

8 Tips for Introducing Coaching to Colleges

1. Approach the colleges through people connected with unions or associations. Make use of the relationships you already have.
2. Print books, articles and written handouts to give away for free. Teachers have tight budgets and are looking for source materials.
3. Design an alliance with someone who is already working in the college, on the college board for example.
4. Parents are a great asset. If possible, collaborate.
5. Be two people on stage during your presentation. This amplifies the credibility of your message of trust. Collaborating with the teacher or a student in the class is impactful.
6. Offer workshops based on your give-away material.
7. Follow up, follow up, follow up. (Even years later!)
8. And remember: Ask for the payment you want! (Not what you think they can give)

Talk as a Coach - to Students, Teachers and Administrators

If, in all conversations, you demonstrate at least these two coach skills, Active Listening and Powerful Questioning, the rest will follow, especially when you have the courage to ask for the coaching assignments.

What's Next?

If you would like to formulate a talk for the students at your local college, I would love to support you. My book, "Bringing a Coaching Approach to the Education System" is available on Amazon. Or you may wish to book a personal meeting with me here.

About the Author, Martin Richards and C4E

I write about coaching in the education world. I have taught Mathematics to teenagers and English to adults. I owned an English education business for 30 years and I am proud to say I am a certified Co-Active Coach.

I believe that, inside every educator, beats the heart of a coach.

I see it as my mission to reach out to the coach inside teachers and remind them of the magical powers they can use to motivate and support their students in reaching their full potential. I see it as my mission to remind every school leader that they too have a coach inside them.

C4E, Coaching for Educators, a not-for-profit project that my company started in 2015. The purpose is to connect educators with coaches so they can explore what it means to be coached. Interested in coaching an educator? Please go to the C4E website for coaches.

In 2022, we upgraded the website and logo. Our mission remains the same

C4E is here to improve student & teacher relationships through life & well-being coaching.

C4E provides certified professional coaching to educators so schools are communities where EVERYONE THRIVES!

Thanks to Donna Burfield for her insights and editorial comments on this article.