Exploring the use of coaching within higher education

Exploring the use of coaching within higher education

Melissa Bradley – University of Kent

Nick Allen – The University of Northampton

Rachel Birds – University of Sheffield

So who are we? (1)So who are we? (1)• Melissa Bradley– Faculty Administration Manager, The University of

Kent– Formerly Reading and Chester– AUA Member since 2004, Board of Trustee since

2008 and Fellow (since April 2011)– Currently undertaking coaching with an external

coach – Act as a mentor for staff within the Faculty – [email protected]

So who are we? (2)So who are we? (2)

• Nick Allen– Deputy Clerk, The University of Northampton– Formerly OU and SHU– AUA Member since 2002– Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice

graduate (PgCert)– Mentor and Deputy Chair of PgCert Board of

Studies (Chair from May)– [email protected]

So who are we? (3)So who are we? (3)

• Rachel Birds– Head of Biological Services, University of Sheffield – Formerly Warwick and Northumbria– AUA Member since 2001, Council/Board since

2008 and Fellow since 2009– Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice

graduate (PgCert)– Chair of Faculty Training and Development Group– [email protected]

What is Coaching?What is Coaching?

• Talk to your colleagues (5 mins)…

• Burning questions:– Use the post-it notes to record at least one

question per table that you’d like us to answer (about coaching!)

– Display in themes on wall

Feedback

Coaching definitions?Coaching definitions?

Two Coaching definitionsTwo Coaching definitions

“Coaching is the art of facilitating the performance, learning and development of another” (Myles Downey, 2003)

“Coaching is a conversation, a dialogue, whereby the coach and individual interact in a dynamic exchange to achieve goals, enhance performance and move the individual forward” (Zeus and Skiffington, 2002)

Qualities of a coachQualities of a coach

• What do you think makes a good coach?

Being….

Patient?Detached?Supportive?Interested?Good listener?Perceptive?

Being….

Aware?Attentive?Retentive?Self-aware?

Having….

Credibility?Authority?Knowledge?

Workplace Coaching in Workplace Coaching in Higher Education?Higher Education?

How coaching is used?How coaching is used?

• Case Study 1 – University of Kent– Provides external and internal coaches for staff

upon request– Offering coaching taster sessions via the Academic

Division’s Leadership & Supporting Management, Developing Leadership Programmes

– Focus upon linking coaching support as integral part of in-house Development Programmes

– Developing coaching inventory for the University

How coaching is used?How coaching is used?

• Case Study 2 – The University of Northampton– Uses internal and external coaches– ILM Level 3 Award in Workplace Coaching– ILM Level 3 Certificate for Professional Workplace

Coaches– ‘Coaching Network’• Internal and external speakers• Opportunity to network and share effective practice

HowHow coaching is used?coaching is used?

• Case Study 3 – University of Sheffield – Various mentoring programmes for staff– Mentors introduced to aspects of coaching as part

of initial training– Provides external and internal coaches for staff

upon request– Dedicated careers coaching programmes for early

career researchers in medicine and science

Coaching in your institution…Coaching in your institution…

• Talk to your colleagues– Do you use coaching in your institution? If so,

how?– Based on the case studies and effective practice,

could your institution increase its engagement in coaching as a management and development tool?

Feedback

Organisational Development Organisational Development Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest Group

• Established in late 2010• Open to all AUA members and non-members

with an interest or experience in Organisational Development (particularly coaching and mentoring)

Organisational Development Organisational Development Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest Group

• Aim to focus on providing resources and opportunities to share knowledge and to development enhance the understanding of Organisational Development

• Contributing to the AUA’s Jubilee programme at Regional Conferences

• Link with HEFCE’s ‘Improving Performance through Wellbeing and Engagement’ project

What next?What next?

• Join the Special Interest Group – contact us!• Consider coaching in your own institution

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