Multipliers, as Liz Wiseman identified (“Multipliers – How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter”) don’t simply recognize talent—they help it grow and spread. Perhaps that’s one of the most important roles of an instructional coach. Rather than identifying what teachers are missing, coaches are on the prowl for the capabilities that are already emerging. Noticing […]

In part 1 of this blog, I explored three insights for coaches’ reflection that were presented by Sharron Helmke, senior vice president of professional services at Learning Forward and a professional certified coach with the International Coaching Federation. She shared these in her article, “6 things I wish I’d known as a new coach.” Those […]

One of the elements of a Positive Psychology framework to coaching is the use of a strengths- based approach. Explore the value of coaching from strengths, spotting strengths, and times that our strengths can limit our success. Consider the strengths that you have that guide your coaching skills in building from strengths. How do you […]

Explore how five different psychological theories or frameworks appear in a coach’s practice: person centered, solution focused, self-efficacy, self-determination, and positive psychology. Steve shares how he sees elements of each in his coaching work. Read “Creating Coaching Cultures in Schools,” here. Watch Daniel Pink’s video on Motivation here.  Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out […]

My holiday reading list included Flourish… A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well- being by Martin E.P. Seligman. I have written in earlier blogs  about my work with optimism and had read Seligman’s earlier book, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. I found that the behaviors of optimists that had positive […]