

Some kids are very coachable. What do I mean by coachable? A quick Google search turns up the following coachable traits (as espoused by those SMRTer than I):
- Humility/critical self-evaluation
- Intrinsic motivation/bias to action
- Purity of purpose/singular focus
- Willing to surrender control/valuing the coaching message
- Strong belief in ability to succeed/faith/stubbornness
Kids perhaps have other elements at play that must be addressed by both the coach and the kid:
- Fear/fear of physical injury/fear of failure
- Desire to conform/be part of the team/contribute to team success (for team sports)
- Emotional immaturity

So as I look at the list(s) of traits of coachable kids listed above, how well do these map to adults? How well do these correlate to my experience?
I found some of the challenges that come with coaching adults are:
- Historical bias to action ("In my company, we did it this way, therefore it is the right or better way"/"You have to use this tool or method to solve that problem")
- Unsure valuation of the coaching message ("I know just as much as these guys"/"I know better"/"I already know how to solve this problem, so I don't need to listen/read/pay attention")
- Desire to stand out/be recognized ("Hey team, look at the cool solution I came up with"/"I have an MBA")
- Difficulty in honest, critical, non-self-deprecating self-evaluation ("I'm terrible at public speaking"/"I'm awesome at PowerPoint")
Writing this down - if nothing else - helps me keep in my mind what behaviours I need to avoid or minimize to be more coachable. Particularly in valuing the coaching message.
Now I just need to develop the same list of what makes a coach a good coach.
AMac
Teaching your child is improving your communicative skills. Because we can learn a lot about our child, keep more patience, and waiting for future results. I'm a busy man, a lot of work, but I try to spent every weekend together, even if I have a lot of tasks.
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