A-ha moment…
The camera flashed to his coach, and the obvious struck me as interesting… Professional athletes use coaches to make sure they are as good as they can be. But doctors [and others] don’t…why did I find it inconceivable to [have] someone to come into my operating room and coach me on my surgical technique?
Personal Best: Top athletes and singers have coaches. Should you? by Atul Gawande The New Yorker, October 3, 2011
The Big Picture...
League of Women Voters
National Level: Ruth S. Shur Fellows
State Level: Coaching Team
Local Level: Local Leadership Team
Confident, Energized League LeadersEngaged and Growing League Membership
Healthier Civic Communities Stronger Democracy
Two Links Coaches Help Make
• Bonding—the links that tie a group together
• Bridging—the links that connect a group to others outside of its organization or network
Bonding
Build a strong organizational core• Mission-driven motivation• Can-do culture• Data-driven decision making (i.e., what works)• Purposeful innovation/change• People-focused
Bridging
• Build a strong external network• Compelling communications• Active outreach• Meaningful involvement
According to the experts…
Good coaches speak with credibility, make a personal connection, and focus little on themselves. They listen more than they talk. They are one hundred percent present in the conversation.
Jim Knight, director of the Kansas Coaching Project, University of Kansas
A good coach . . . • Enthusiasm • Enjoys people • Strong listening skills • Ability to develop a comfortable relationship so that League leaders
can share frustrations and awkward situations that may arise • Strong verbal communication skills • Creativity and ability to identify opportunities and provide suggestions • Patient • Observant • Respectful and supportive • Clear • Empathetic • Follows through • Sense of humor• Uses positive reinforcement wherever possible
A good coach. . .
Avoids being judgmental and open to considering new ideas
•All Leagues are different•Different personalities handle challenges differently (we’ll talk more about this)
•Multiple good solutions to every problem•Guide, don’t dictate
A good coach. . .• Needs good listening skills• Especially because so much of your work will be remote
A good coach. . .
• Focuses on membership and leadership development
• Helps local Leagues improve/expand what they are already doing
Who are you coaching?
LWVUS State Local
State Board
State Coordinator
State Coaches
Partnership among Leagues
LWVUS Board
Shur Fellows
LWVUS Staff
League Board
Coordinator
Committee
What is a state coordinator? • Supporting and Coordinating the Coaching Team• Facilitating Communication• Modeling at the state level
Lifecycle of any team/group:
PHASE TEAM OUTPUT
FORMING Uncertain but optimistic
Low
STORMING Conflict surfaces Low
NORMING Sense of team emerges
Moderate
PERFORMING Fully functional Very high
Who are you coaching?
LWVUS State Local
A team from the local League is ideal.
League Board
Coordinator
Committee
Mentor• Provide guidance and training• Inquire about progress and challenges• Share ideas from your experience/knowledge• Debrief on recent events/activities
• What worked?• What didn’t work?• What did you learn?
• Lead them to make decisions• Support!
Cheerleader • Help local Leagues see and applaud their
successes• All about stopping and smelling the roses• Remember success breeds success• Positivity rubs off • Will be invigorating for all participating
Accountability Coach • Keeping your mentees on track
• With current plans• To continue developing new plans• Pointing out successes and how to
work on setbacks
• NOT A PUNITIVE ROLE• Don’t let your states slip back
in to old habits
Keeping on Track• Reporting consistently can help you and your national
coach keep track of what is happening.• Every month, you will:
• Complete an online survey report about each local League you coach
• Usually takes about 8-10 minutes per survey• Communicates to your national coach• Saves time on calls with national coach• Gives you time to reflect
Membership Numbers• Provided to state coaching teams 2 times per year
• Can gauge progress• Check up on how well your local Leagues are inputting members
into the LWVUS database• Gives you time to debrief and recognize strengths and weaknesses
Success is More than Numbers!
• Increased visibility
• Collaboration with media and community organizations
• Connecting levels of League
• Renewed enthusiasm and pride – a “can do” attitude
• Strategic planning