donnerwheelerconnect

Spring 2009

Peer Coaching

We have noticed an increase in the number of articles on coaching and in particular the impact peer coaching can have on professional development and quality work life. This affirms our long held belief that peer coaching is a powerful vehicle for intentional change where two friends/colleagues (peers) engage in a coaching conversation of discovery, goal setting and strategic action that enables the realization of extraordinary results.

We all have had the experience of gravitating towards a peer to discuss, consult, solicit advice or share ideas on a specific professional issue. These individuals (and you may be one who others select to consult) tend to be open, available, positive and energetic and have the other's best interest at heart. It is clear that these peer coaches play a very meaningful role in the work lives of their colleagues and yet that role is often not acknowledged and rarely formalized in the organization. Our experience with these "go-to"” professionals is that they benefit greatly from some preparation and practice that focuses on developing their coaching skills. Organizations can enhance the value and focus of the contribution these individuals are making through the conversations they are having with their peers, by providing them with more knowledge and skill in coaching and the opportunity to practice peer coaching.

Regardless of whether you are or could be a peer coach here are the basic steps in the coaching conversation.

1. Build the climate, where you establish a relaxed and open environment that is conducive to dialogue and learning;
2. Clarify the purpose, where the purpose of the coaching conversation is articulated and goals identified;
3. Collaborate, where both coach and client manage a two-way discussion that achieves the agreed upon goals; and
4. Close, where the client gains clarification, commitment, the inner drive that produces results and takes responsibility for the next steps.

Learning does not start once the coaching conversation ends; it starts with the coaching conversation where new actions and new practices are always the final stage of a successful coaching conversation.

If you would like to prepare peer coaches consider our Coach Mastery Program. This program specifically prepares in-house peer career coaches to engage in both formal and informal conversations with their colleagues about career possibilities and actions so that these conversations become a way of being in the organization. This program is also an excellent career enrichment opportunity for the coaches.

What’'s New With donnerwheeler

Stay tuned for more information on coaching. We have just written an online coaching workbook for the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) which is available here:

http://www.nursingsociety.org/Education/ContinuingEducation/Documents/Coaching%20and%20Mentoring%20Workbook_STTI.pdf

It is a free download.

We are also very excited that Mary has been asked to attend the ICN conference in Durban SA in June to present a coaching workshop to attendees.