Build Your Coaching Credibility

Credibility is an important attribute for coaches. If teachers view a coach as credible, they are more likely to be engaged and listening. Credibility helps teachers take a coach seriously and will convince them to consider the information that is being shared. Teachers are also more likely to act on the information when the coach is credible. If the coach is viewed as a credible source, teachers are more likely to engage again.
 
In the insurance world, credibility ratio is calculated using a complicated formula that considers the probability or expectation that something will happen (an auto accident, a disease). The credibility of social influencers is determined using metrics such as engagement rate, reach, reputation, and relevance. It is said to be a measure of trustworthiness, authenticity, and expertise. A fake influencer may have a dishonest communication style, a bad reputation or no reviews at all. Stop and scan this paragraph. What is relevant for your credibility as a coach?
 
How do teachers calculate your credibility? One simple metric is the ratio of your talk to your action. The question, “Do you walk your talk?” is a good yardstick for evaluation. No one is perfect. Mistakes are tolerated, but hypocrisy is not. When your walk and your talk don’t match up, admit it and demonstrate a growth mindset. Make the effort to do what you say you’re going to do. Follow through.
 
Credibility is also evaluated based on knowledge. Experiential knowledge is highly valued. If I’ve done what I’m recommending and had positive results, I’m viewed as credible. In many instances, however, coaches are called on to support at grade levels or in content areas where they don’t have experience. A lot of pedagogical knowledge is transferable, holding true across contexts. Teachers may not believe this until they see it, though, so that’s where modeling comes in. When you ante up and do the strategy yourself, you gain credibility. Although substituting is not the best way for a coach to spend their time, it can provide opportunities for you to actually use the new curriculum or approach. Then you’ll be sharing from a place of experience.
 
Credibility can also be increased by demonstrating that you’ve put in the effort to research best practices. Do you have data to share that is pertinent to your school? Examples of others who have tried it? These can help.
 
A less obvious way to build credibility is to monitor how you communicate. Open body language, a friendly tone, eye contact, and a confident stance all boost credibility. Take your time when speaking; rushing can signal and create doubt. An upbeat attitude and sharing with care can do as much to establish credibility as knowledge and examples.
 
Personalizing – speaking directly to the teacher’s needs – can also boost credibility. When the ideas you bring align with the teacher’s hopes, trust is built. I was once assigned to coach a teacher because of poor evaluation scores – not an ideal situation. But when I asked what she wanted to work on and then brought ideas and resources aligned with that desire, it boosted my credibility.

The Oxford dictionary says credibility is the quality of being trusted and believed in. Credibility not only means believing that what someone says is true, but trusting them as well. How will you demonstrate that you have the knowledge and background to warrant belief? What step can you take now to increase your coaching credibility? Every credible step you take will make your coaching more impactful. 

This week, you might want to take a look at:

This “Circle of Viewpoints” activity helps participants to explore a text or event from a variety of perspectives:
 
https://pz.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Circle%20of%20Viewpoints_0.pdf
 
 
Coaches’ book recommendations can broaden perspectives:
 
https://choiceliteracy.com/article/listening-and-learning-from-literature/
 
 
Play is important – and mixing up the kinds of play kids do is important, too:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4kgJSypoCI
 
 
A minimalist approach to conferring with writers:
 
https://www.middleweb.com/49050/writing-conferences-a-minimalist-approach/
 
 
Three tips for richer student discussion:
 
https://www.middleweb.com/38084/learning-the-secrets-of-good-class-discussions/
 
That’s it for this week.  Happy Coaching!
 
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Want more coaching tips? Check out my book, Differentiated Mentoring & Coaching in Education: From Preservice Teacher to Expert Practitioner, available from Teachers College Press!  I’m so excited to share it with you! TODAY you can use the code: SEPT2023 for 15% off plus FREE SHIPPING. Click  here  and I’ll email you the free Book Group Study Guide that includes questions, prompts, and activities you can use as you share the book with colleagues.  I hope you’ll love this book as much as I loved making it for you!