My Coaches' Couch: Lifting the Veil on Coaching

In the movie, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy seeks help from the all-powerful Oz, hoping he can solve her problems and those of her friends. After she lifts the veil to reveal a bumbling man pulling levers, her hopes are dashed. However, Oz provides all they need: heart, brain, courage, and power to go home. Revealing the mechanisms behind the scene did nothing to reduce the assistance that Oz could provide, even though he felt exposed when the veil was lifted.

Like the Wizard, for years I kept the veil drawn on the help I was providing as a coach. I’m not sure why. Perhaps I was afraid that being transparent about my coaching moves would make the process feel less authentic. And maybe there’s some truth to that. But I’ve found that when I have lifted the veil and shared the GIR Coaching Model, it has been well received by the teachers I’m working with.

The Gradual Increase of Responsibility Model for Coaching and Mentoring (below), turns the familiar GRR teaching model on its head by putting the focus on the increasing independence of the learner – in this case, the teacher. I’ve reaped benefits by sharing the model – and the goal – with teachers I’m working with. At the beginning of a coaching cycle, when I’ve said, “Why don’t we start with me modeling this for you,” and pointed out that our goal was for her to be doing it on her own, with me sitting back and praising, the teacher felt confident about the path forward. “It’s so empowering,” one teacher said, while examining the GIR model. She knew that the support I’d be providing would be gradually reduced through mentoring moves that offered less and less support: after modeling, recommending; then questioning; and finally, affirming and praising. These teachers were excited to see their progress charted as I used less-directive coaching moves.

If you’ve had the veil drawn on what you’re doing as a coach, consider whether it might be helpful to share your process and your goals for the coaching cycle. A novice teacher will likely feel inspired by the faith you have in her ability to reach the praising stage. A more veteran teacher may likewise feel encouraged and welcome your explanation as the openness of two professionals talking about their craft. With the veil lifted, you may feel empowered, too, by the transparency you are providing.