Coaching for Success
Scenario: Is this coaching?
Sam is a data scientist intern. She is working on a predictive analysis problem. She has completed the initial task confidently and capably.
Sam approaches her supervisor to discuss the best solution.
'I've identified the variables in our dataset but some are strongly related.'
Her supervisor directs her as to what to do next.
'You'll need to use PCA to drop some of them.'
Sam was planning to use a different approach but she doesn't feel comfortable giving her opinion.
Is this coaching?
The answer is 'no'. The WIL partner provided supervision and the student followed his instructions.
Correct. Sam now knows she should use Principal component analysis to solve her problem but she doesn't understand why and may need to seek advice in a similar situation.
In this example, a student who has confidence and demonstrated capability in completing a task receives feedback from their WIL partner in a very directive, instructional manner. In this context it is easy for the student to simply apply the advice provided by the WIL partner without first considering their own perspective or experience in completing the task. That is, they may feel they are not entitled to an opinion or to challenge the suggested way of working, based solely on the directive, supervisory manner of the conversation.
Despite having her own insights and ideas for what might be appropriate, Sam learns to seek or wait for the direction of her WIL partner in future tasks - this is good for ensuring oversight and accountability in the work being done, but comes at the cost of developing Sam’s initiative and problem solving. That is, the WIL partner’s approach allows Sam to quickly develop efficiencies in her assigned tasks. It does not develop her understanding of why a suggested approach is valuable, nor does it provide the opportunity for the WIL partner to have their own understanding critiqued based on the developing knowledge of the student. In short, a learning opportunity may have been overlooked without any intention to do so, simply by the initial framing of the conversation between WIL partner and student.
Why you need a coach
In this TED Talk, surgeon Atul Gawande shares what he considers is the key to success when you want to 'improve in the face of complexity.'
Watch the video and list in your journal five important reasons to get a coach.