#118: Why Being 'Naturally Gifted' Can Backfire as a Coach Artwork

Coaching the Whole Educator

This podcast helps instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders improve their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most by focusing on the mindsets and motivations that are at the source of unproductive behaviors. Each week, we’ll cover quick tips, strategies and coaching mindsets so that you can be on top of your coaching game.

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Coaching the Whole Educator

#118: Why Being 'Naturally Gifted' Can Backfire as a Coach

January 02, 2025 • Becca Silver

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Becca and Dr. Chris Jones co-host another episode where they discuss the challenges that come when instructional coaches and school leaders are "naturally gifted" in certain areas. Here are the highlights:
The Ladder of Conscious Competence

Four stages: Conscious/Unconscious Competence & Incompetence.
This can explain why there’s a lack of knowledge transfer at your school
Why having unconscious competence makes skills hard to teach.

The Peter Principle in Education

People are promoted beyond their skillset (shifting from teaching children to teaching adults).
Success in one role doesn’t guarantee success in another.
Effective leadership requires a balance of three key skill sets: technical, conceptual, and human

Coaching Missteps to Avoid

Avoid coaching people to mimic your personality or style (Focus on enhancing the coachee’s unique strengths.)
Avoid sharing personal success stories excessively ("When I was a teacher, I...").
Ignoring the critical need for developing adult-learning skills.

The Whole Educator PD:
The Whole Educator Academy
Breaking Through Resistance and Building Buy In PD
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Learn more about Dr. Chris Jones and VATLL (previously VASCD)