The Art of Coaching

Chapter 6The Exploration Stage: What Do I Need to Know at the Outset?

Read this when:

• You're beginning a coaching assignment and you need to learn as much as possible about the context for coaching
• You want to clearly delineate the equity issues at play
• You want to intentionally examine systems and direct your coaching toward systems change

From the Edge of the Field

Imagine this: you are a farmer invited to cultivate a plot of land that has lain fallow for some years. You stand on the edge of the acre, leaning on a shovel, surveying the space. You notice the tall trees on the east side that block the sun from hitting the soil until late morning. Tunnels indicate the presence of gophers, and deer droppings are numerous along a side where ...