Here’s the short list:
• Trying to fix the other person.
• Diagnosing problems vs. Tapping into the greatness in the other person
• Working harder than the person you are coaching.
• Worry about what you are going to say when the person you are coaching stops talking.
• Deciding what the focus of the coaching session will be.

Okay, true confessions—the above are the mistakes I made as a new coach.

I was fortunate! I had a mentor-coach that I was working with. My mentor-coach helped me identify and learn from my mistakes.

No kidding….As a recovering Fixer, I spent an entire year learning how to see the greatness in those I was coaching.

The REAL question–The question behind this question is usually….Will I be able to learn how to coach?

At first glance, coaching seems so easy. Anyone can do it! Yet, very quickly new coaches discover that there is of unlearning that needs to happen.

Can anyone learn how to coach? Read on…..

What needs to be unlearned?

What do new coaches typically unlearn?I like to describe the unlearning process like this: I’m right handed. Becoming a coach is like putting my right hand behind my back and intentionally using my left hand. It’s awkward and challenging. Eventually though, with practice, I can learn how to use my left hand. Then, I can bring out my right hand and use both hands. That’s coaching!

• Telling others what to do.
• Being the expert.
• Filling up the silence with words
• Asking Que-ggestions—suggestions disguised as a question
• Trying to fix people

• When the  disciples were in a boat  in a terrible storm, Jesus asked,  “Why are you afraid?” (Matthew 8:26)
• He asked  the  disciples, when  they were  faced  with feeding  a crowd of over 5,000 people,  “Where shall  we buy bread for these people  to eat?”  (John 6:5)
• He asked  the  woman  caught in adultery, “Where  are  your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10)
• After teaching the  crowds  about  how much  God cares for them, He asked  them, “Why do you worry about what you will eat and what you will wear?” (Matthew 6:31)
• When Peter made his claim  that  he  would  die for Jesus, Jesus asked,  “Will you really  lay down  your life for me?”  (John  13:38) And then,  after  his resurrection, Jesus asked  him, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17)

How true!

One of the reasons that I am SOLD OUT on every pastor, ministry staff and church leader a coach is because ministry involves people.  I contend that a ministry leader equipped with coaching skills and working with a coach is better equipped for ministry.

A + I + A = REAL Change

• A = Awareness:  Before any intentional change can happen there needs to be an awareness of the need for change.  When I am coaching someone I listen for:
  • How aware is this person of the need for change?
  • Have they drilled down to the core issues?
• I  = Intention:  Awareness alone rarely changes anything.  I want to know what their intentions are.
  • What do they want to do with their awareness?
  • On a scale of 1 to 10, how ready is this person to initiate change?
  • What is still needed?
• A = Action:  What’s the plan?  Is the plan well thought out?  Or, are they shooting from the hip?

When all three are combined the result is REAL, LASTING CHANGE

This formula gives me a quick, easy assessment of the person I am coaching, as well as what is needed.

Frequently, during a coaching session, I will share this formula and ask that they do a quick self-assessment.  What follows is usually a “windex moment” – Ahhhh, now I see!

BTW-It is not unusual to coach a leader that is designing action with little to no awareness of the core issues driving the change.  This formula help me, as well as those I coach, see this clearly.

I know, that’s an over statement. But it sure felt that way.

Many of the minutes of the meetings I attended could have been copied month after month.  It often felt like were like the Israelites in the Wilderness, covering the same ground over and over again.

Basically, there are three meetings that every leadership teams needs to regularly have.  The three meetings  include:

• The 5-10 Minute Daily Update meeting.  This is a brief daily conversation for alignment, updates, what are you working on, here’s what I need.  Real quick and brief.  The key is that this isn’t a time to discuss items—it’s all about the update.
• The Weekly meeting (1-1/2 hours)  The focus of this weekly meeting are the 3 to 4 key issues and strategic conversations that need to happen.
• The Quarterly Meeting    This is the all-day strategic planning meeting where big picture items are discussed.

I really resonate with this.  As great and wonderful as seminary was, it did not prepare me to lead.  Much of the leadership training I developed came through the school of hard knocks.

Today’s ministry leader have another option – Christian Coach Training.

Learn how to develop others

The best part of my coach training was that I learned — really learned–  how to develop others and bring out the very best in them.   You don’t learn how to do this by reading a book or sitting in a lecture. You learn how to empower by seeing it modeled and receiving constructive feedback when you coach.

In our coach training program you will regularly see coaching demonstrated.

Photo credit: Luigi Diamanti www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As we continue to look towards the Scriptures for coaching inspiration, today we land on the story of the resurrection in Luke 24.

There are three days over the Easter weekend. Friday, when all hope feels lost, Saturday, where we just don’t know, and Sunday, when, “Wow!” everything’s different. In Tony Campolo’s classic sermon, he talks about how many of us were stuck at Friday or wallowing in Saturday, the unknown, and we have to remember that “Sunday’s a-comin’.”

The women who found Jesus’ empty tomb probably felt a bit foolish going there. Even though they were going to prepare his body for the burial, they were also clinging to the hope that he had risen.

As helpless and desolate as they felt about his death, they were continuing on with the next step – preparing him for burial – because that was what was there to do. And that’s what we all have to do, when we’re unsure or we feel hopeless – just go and do the next step that you do know.

Which day is most like you right now? Hopeless, unsure or “Wow!” What helps you move into Sunday when you’re stuck in Friday or Saturday? More importantly, what is your next step? Just do it! And see what happens.

The Train the Trainer clinic is designed to fully equip and certify participants to train others in our Basic Coach Training Certification. You will leave the clinic with the skills to train others how to coach! Our Train-the-Trainer clinic is offered several times each year in a variety of locations as well as our new LIVE webinar training held four times per year! We also provide customized Train-the-Trainer clinics for denominations, associations, conferences and organizations. Contact J. Val Hastings directly to schedule your customized in-house clinic.

What does the Train-the Trainer clinic prepare you for?

This training will prepare you to successfully teach our Basic Coach Training Program, which provides participants with a strong introduction to coaching. Our Train-the-Trainer clinic will provide you with a coaching toolkit of knowledge, techniques and practiced skills that you can use with confidence when leading a Basic Coach Training event. Again, you will leave the clinic with the skills to train others how to coach.

Your training also includes invaluable promotional instructions and tools, designed to give you a turn-key solution for delivering a successful event.

Is the Train-the-Trainer clinic right for me?

People who typically attend a Train-the-Trainer clinic include coaches who want to train other coaches as an additional service for their business, ministry leaders who want to develop a coaching culture in their conference/association, or people who want to train coaches within their church or organization.

When is the Training offered?

Training is now offered two ways – LIVE and onsite trainings. Our LIVE training is conducted four times per year.

Choose Your Train-the-Trainer Schedule – 2013 LIVE Webinar Program:

$499 - Summer 2013 Train-the-Trainer LIVE Webinar – Group 1:
July & August – Wednesdays @ 11:00 am – 12 noon EST – July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 & August 7 – 2013

$499 - Fall 2013 Train-the-Trainer LIVE Webinar – Group 2:
October & November – Tuesdays @ 3:00 – 4:00 pm EST – October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & November 5 – 2013

$499 - Winter 2014 Train-the Trainer LIVE Webinar – Group 3:
January & February – Tuesdays @ 10:00-11:00 am EST – January 7, 14, 21, 28 & February 4, 11 – 2014

$499 - Spring 2014 Train-the-Trainer LIVE Webinar – Group 4:
April & May – Mondays @ 1:00-2:00 pm EST – April 7, 14, 21, 28 & May 5, 12 – 2014

After registering you will be placed in your Train-the-Trainer Group and be contacted by our Registrar with your class access information.

What Can I Expect?

Participants will leave this clinic with the confidence and competency to successfully lead a Basic Coach Training event. Participants learn and practice coach training theories and techniques through classroom instruction, small group interaction and several practice teaching opportunities. Additionally, you will:

• Receive 6 hours of ICF Continuing Coaching Education hours.
• Sharpen your teaching and training skills by experiencing and practicing state-of-the-art coaching techniques.
• Understand the structure and process of leading a Basic Coach Training event, including key teaching concepts and exercises.
• Receive feedback from the facilitator and other participants attending this clinic.
• Network and collaborate with other coaches.
• Hone your own coaching skills.
• Opportunities for unstructured networking and brainstorming time
• Our book will be shipped to you once you register and you’ll receive information on how to access your trainer information and resources
• Any questions on your program, please contact your Trainer

Requirements for Trainer Certification: A Trainer Certificate, along with full Trainer status, will be awarded to all Train-the-Trainer participants who have met the following requirements:

• 100% attendance at the Train-the-Trainer event. You’ll need to attend the actual Train-the-Trainer event and fully participate and be part of the class demonstrating the class material. (attending class does not guarantee graduation from the class)
• Active participation and engagement throughout the Train-the-Trainer event.
• A thorough understanding and mastery of the coach training materials demonstrated through a LIVE presentation during the Train-the-Trainer event.
• Trainer will decide who has passed and will notify students the status of pass/fail of the class and will contact you for your on the certificate and correct email address.
• You’ll then receive your certificate by email.
• A Certificate of Completion will be offered to those who have completed the Training Module, experienced a coaching session and participate in the 30 day follow-up group coaching call.
• Your Trainer will provide you information on your next steps with C4C.

Trainer tips:

• Tuition includes your first year of membership as a Coaching4Clergy Trainer. Ongoing membership is required for continued status as a Coaching4Clergy Trainer, and the current membership fee is $149.00 per year.
• Trainers must purchase a Coaching4Clergy resource package for every participant who will attend their event. This package is exclusively available from Coaching4Clergy and includes a training manual and certification of completion. The current cost of one participant resource package is $19.95 per textbook or $34.95 per textbook and workbook.
• Basic Coach Training fees (what you will charge the participants who attend your events) are at the discretion of each individual trainer. Remember to factor in the cost of participant resources.
• Order your books from Coaching4Clergy (link is located in the trainer section of our Learning Portal, which you’ll have access to once you register).

Next Steps:

Upcoming Train the Trainer Events:

To see the events, click here.

Participants in this training will:

• Gain a strong understanding of coaching and the distinction between coaching and therapy, consulting and mentoring.
• Develop core coaching skills that can be incorporated into the local church setting.
• Receive a combination of coaching theory and practice.
• Observe LIVE coaching.
• Learn a Five-Step Coaching Model.
• Receive a complimentary coaching session with one of our coaches.
• Participate in a follow-up group coaching session 30 days after the training is completed. The intention is to provide support and accountability in the development of each participant. A bridge line telephone will be used.

A Certificate of Completion will be offered to those who have completed the Basic Coach Training, experienced a complimentary coaching session and participated in the 30 day follow-up group coaching call.

Choose Your Basic Coach Training – 2013 LIVE Webinar Program:

Spring 2013 Basic Coach Training LIVE Webinar – Group 1:
Wednesdays @ 2:00-3:00 pm EST – May 15, 22, 29 and June 5 – 2013 – CLASS FULL

Summer 2013 Basic Coach Training LIVE Webinar – Group 2:
Tuesdays @ 11:00 am – 12 noon EST – August 6, 13, 20 & 27 – 2013

Fall 2013 Basic Coach Training LIVE Webinar – Group 3:
Tuesdays @ 10:00-11:00 am EST – October 1, 8, 15 & 22 – 2013

Winter 2014 Basic Coach Training LIVE Webinar – Group 4:
Mondays @ 1:00-2:00 pm EST – January 6, 13, 20 & 27 – 2014

After registering you will be placed in your Basic Coach Training Group and be contacted by our Registrar with your class access information.