This presentation took place at Advance HE Learning and Teaching Conference 2020

1. Utilising coaching
skills to benefit
students & staff
wellbeing
Twitter: @SarahWolfenden
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwolfenden/
Blog: https://thewolfendenreport.blogspot.com/
Sarah Wolfenden
Senior Lecturer in Academic
Professional Development &
Performance Coach
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2. Brunel University London
Context: Student wellbeing

3. Brunel University London
Context: Staff wellbeing

4. Brunel University London
Why it matters…
Stepchange:
Universities UK
2020

5. Brunel University London
What is coaching?
Coaching is a process which
‘works on improving the
performance and wellbeing of an
individual or group through setting
goals, exploring values and beliefs,
and facilitating… plans of action’
(Wilson 2014, pg11).

6. Brunel University London
Why coaching works.
Staff discover answers they already
have, articulate them and become more
confident (ILM 2018).
It ‘emphasises reflection, self-analysis and
self-evaluation’ which assists educators in
considering their teaching practices. This is
empowering and means they are more likely
to take responsibility and put their thoughts
into actions (Devine et al 2013)
Coaching enables staff to realise their
potential (ILM 2018).
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7. Brunel University London
What are coaching skills?
Listening
7
Summarising
Tools, techniques and frameworks
Despite many overlaps it should not be confused with
mentoring, counselling and consultancy.
Questioning
Photo by HOerwin56--2108907

8. Brunel University London
Where are coaching skills
currently in use?
Schools
Executive Leadership
NHS
Sports
Presentation Title 8
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9. Brunel University London
How I currently use it
Coaching individuals on
workplace performance – e.g.
organisation, work-life balance,
focus
Goal setting and purpose
exercises in the accreditation
pathway
Motivational and reflective
exercise in our PgCert
Goal setting in mini writing
retreats
Action learning sets as part of
our Women’s Equality Network
Group
Self-coaching exercises in the
Wellbeing Volunteer Group

10. Brunel University London
How it can be used…
Individual self – reflective activities around purpose,
identity, skills and strengths. Goal setting and motivational
exercises
10
Photo by Francesco Paggiaro
Students – practise listening and summarising skills, goal
setting, peer assessment
Staff – action learning sets, team or group coaching on
away days, identifying what is outside and inside control,
accountability

11. Brunel University London
Some testimonials
“One of the aspects I found
particularly useful in
underpinning my professional
development was the ability
to become reflective on my
approach. This reflective
process helped me develop a
strategy”.
“Thank you for coaching me
earlier this year. It’s made a
huge difference to how I sort
out my priorities at work”.
“it was no surprise to me that I
walked away with a sense of
optimism, resolve and feeling very
much in the moment”.
“The activities really get us thinking
about the application”
“I’m a 6 and I feel so inspired”
11
“I think the ‘7 why’ reflection on why
we need to apply for the
accreditation is a good one”
“The time and space to think is so
helpful”

12. Brunel University London
For coaching to work…
…the academic needs to believe
the person they are talking to is
capable and reliable; content will
be confidential; they won’t be
judgemental; their motivations are
honest and positive, and they will
be listened to (Law 2013; Lancer
et al 2016; Van Nieuwerburgh
2014)
12
Photo by K Zoltan

13. Brunel University London
What next?
Presentation Title 13
 Change our evaluation sheets to better monitor impact
 Continue learning from the #CoachingHE community
 Chapter and article coming up about how we can all
use coaching techniques to develop our practice
 Explore more about coaching approaches and
wellbeing in higher education
Connect with me:
@SarahWolfenden; LinkedIn;
Blog - https://thewolfendenreport.blogspot.com/