#120: Protocols: Helpful or Holding You Back? 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

#120: Protocols: Helpful or Holding You Back?

January 19, 2025 • Becca Silver • Season 1 • Episode 120

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In this episode, Becca Silver and Dr. Chris Jones shake up the coaching conversation by tackling a common trap: over-reliance on protocols. While structure and frameworks can be helpful, they break down why rigid scripts won’t make you a great coach—and might even hold you back.

Chris and Becca debate:
The Pros & Cons of Protocols – When they’re useful and when they become a crutch.
Coaching Beyond the Checklist – Why developing deep skills in listening and questioning matters more than following a script.
The Complexity of Coaching – Coaching isn’t about running a formula—it’s about adapting to real humans.
Intentional Conversations – The key to powerful coaching isn’t in a protocol, it’s in knowing where you're headed and how to guide the conversation there.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re relying too much on protocols—or if you need a better way to guide coaching conversations—this episode will challenge your thinking in the best way. Tune in for real talk, real laughs, and real coaching wisdom.

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