Activity overview: Module Zero

Pre-work -Reading & Reflection

All delegates read chapters from the book Brilliant Coaching by Julie Starr. Delegates are also asked to review their personal development plan, or objectives, plus write a short reflection note on their current approach to managing people.

Objectives of the Pre-work Module:

To orientate delegates to the topic of coaching
To encourage self-awareness, e.g. what is my typical management style?
To engage delegates in learning, e.g. what’s in this for me?

Activity overview: Module One

Two-Day Coaching for Performance Event

This is a two-day event that covers the key principles and practice of coaching. We also show how the core skills of asking great questions, listening, and building rapport are valuable interpersonal skills that can be used anywhere. The two days are ideally run together, but can be delivered separately if needed.

Objectives of the Two-Day Event:

To be clear about what coaching is (and is not) and how it is relevant to a manager’s role
To learn coaching principles, behaviours and skills
To learn simple conversation structures to adopt in different situations. For example, how to approach a more formal conversation such as a 1:1 meeting and how to use coaching as a natural response to everyday questions and challenges
To learn how to tackle tougher ‘feedback’ type conversations using simple coaching principles
To gain practice and feedback in a supportive environment Iin this module, delegates experience a minimum of seven hours of practical exercises and practice.)
To support the individual to take coaching forward in their role
To offer an aligned set of models, principles and language that strengthen the application of coaching throughout the organisation

Coaching Handouts/Products

Delegates receive an A5 event manual, intended for practical use in the live environment. Delegates also receive a copy of Brilliant Coaching by Julie Starr, in advance of the event.

Activity overview: Module Two

Support for Skills Integration

Here we assign each delegate with a Business Coach who provides individual coaching support, via the telephone. Delegates receive a minimum of two, fifty minute coaching calls each, to help them integrate the coaching behaviours into their live environment.

During this period of approximately 10-12 weeks, delegates are encouraged to write regular personal reflection notes, as well as reading Julie Starr's book Brilliant Coaching.

As a further support for skills integration, we can also facilitate ‘Learning Support Groups' (LSGs), i.e. a two-hour, open surgery where delegates are able to ask questions and can practice in a friendly environment. Where the client has trainers or coaches that can facilitate these sessions, LSGs can be run at no additional cost.

Objectives of the Skills Integration Module:

To maintain a clear focus on the behaviours, principles and skills within module one
To ‘individualise learning’ e.g. offer each delegate the type of support that helps them to integrate behaviours within their situation and role
To encourage learning in a variety of different styles, e.g. reading, writing reflection notes, having personal (telephone) coaching
To support any ‘teething’ issues that are creating barriers to learning or integration
To monitor the overall success of the programme, e.g. gain a sense of people’s progress

Activity overview: Module Three

One Day Follow-up Event

This one day event reviews and refreshes learning, as well as offering additional coaching tools. For example, we show how ‘Powerful Questions’ are an effective way of tackling tough ‘complaints’ or issues’ in the workplace. We also explain Emotional Maturity and its impact on both the coach and the person being coached. In this lively session delegates are able to discuss their issues or barriers to progress in a supportive, expert environment. Delegates also have two further practice sessions, with feedback, during the day.

Objectives of the One-Day Follow–Up Event include:

To revisit and refresh key principles of coaching
To create a supportive environment to surface issues and gain further experience through practice
To support any ‘teething’ issues that are creating barriers to learning or integration
To learn more coaching tools and approaches, e.g. powerful questions
To add simple perspectives of emotional maturity, as a foundation for coaching

Activity overview: Module Four

Coaching skills assessment

This session gives delegates the opportunity to demonstrate their coaching ability in a safe environment and be offered an expert assessment by an experienced coach. Delegates can be rated according to key coaching skills, e.g. listening, questioning, ability to structure the conversation appropriately, etc. If required, ratings can include a simple scoring system, e.g. level one (pass) and level two (intermediate) or ‘refer’ (reload to future programme).

The format of the session is normally the delegate coaching a colleague, in front of an assessor, for 30-40 minutes on a real topic or issue. Afterwards, the delegate spends time with the assessor, for rating and developmental feedback. The inherent ‘challenge’ of this session has proven to reap additional benefits to learning and commitment, especially when following the Learning Support Group process (see Module Two).

Objectives of the Skills Assessment Module:

To display delegate’s coaching ability during a ‘real’ coaching conversation
To give a level of challenge to the delegate that promotes focus and learning
To offer feedback and encouragement that continues the development of coaching skills, e.g. contribute to a learning & development plan
To establish a standard of competence in the organisation
To recognise the achievement of an internal standard, i.e. by certifying a delegate as competent

Activity overview: Module Five

The Starr Certificate in Coaching

This module combines all previous modules with additional study activities, to achieve formal accreditation by the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC). As such, delegates must have completed the following:

Module 0: Pre-work Module
Module 1: Two-Day Coaching for Performance Event
Module 2: Learning Support Module
Module 3: One Day Follow-up Event
Module 4: Assessment

In addition, delegates must reach a required standard in the following activities:

Peer assessment on coaching ability, i.e. reach a ‘pass’ standard of feedback from colleagues who have been coached by the delegate. Feedback is specific to core coaching competencies.

Assessment of learning/progress from the delegate’s Business Coach (assigned during module 2).

Submission of additional items to evidence progress, e.g. additional reflection notes, reading and self-assessment.

For a separate brochure on the Starr Certificate in Coaching, simply contact us.

module overview