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Coaching Conversations: Transforming Your School One Conversation at a Time
"The most successful leaders recognize that individual conversations held countless times per day serve as the most authentic example of job-embedded professional learning. Educators can facilitate substantive growth in individuals and organizations―one conversation at a time―and this book shows them how."
―Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council
"A necessary handbook on any administrator′s desk, this book is an evening read that can be readily operationalized the next morning. The book could easily serve as a basis for conversation during an administrators′ roundtable discussion."
―Bonnie Tryon, President
School Administrators Association of New York
An effective, inexpensive approach for facilitating transformation through the entire school community!
Being a successful school leader has become an increasingly complex role that demands highly developed interpersonal skills. Now this easy-to-use handbook shows school leaders the practical coaching-conversation techniques they need to engage and motivate their school communities to work collaboratively toward total school transformation.
Different from supervisory and mentoring conversations, coaching conversations shift responsibility for instructional improvement from the school leader to every member of the school community. In this example-packed guide, the authors use current research and their own extensive experience to help school
Develop open and reflective conversations with all staff members Build skills for motivating staff Adopt new habits for working with teachers, staff, and studentsUtilize the power of committed listening, intentional conversations, and non-judgmental feedbackCreate positive changes in how people think and interactWith this powerful approach, every member of the school community participates in the transformation of the school and shares in the celebration of successful changes!
―Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council
"A necessary handbook on any administrator′s desk, this book is an evening read that can be readily operationalized the next morning. The book could easily serve as a basis for conversation during an administrators′ roundtable discussion."
―Bonnie Tryon, President
School Administrators Association of New York
An effective, inexpensive approach for facilitating transformation through the entire school community!
Being a successful school leader has become an increasingly complex role that demands highly developed interpersonal skills. Now this easy-to-use handbook shows school leaders the practical coaching-conversation techniques they need to engage and motivate their school communities to work collaboratively toward total school transformation.
Different from supervisory and mentoring conversations, coaching conversations shift responsibility for instructional improvement from the school leader to every member of the school community. In this example-packed guide, the authors use current research and their own extensive experience to help school
Develop open and reflective conversations with all staff members Build skills for motivating staff Adopt new habits for working with teachers, staff, and studentsUtilize the power of committed listening, intentional conversations, and non-judgmental feedbackCreate positive changes in how people think and interactWith this powerful approach, every member of the school community participates in the transformation of the school and shares in the celebration of successful changes!
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 5, 2017
Very practical book, but the title is a misnomer. Although the examples and vignettes in the book take place in a school setting, this book is adaptable and fully transferable to any supervisor in any workplace setting. I enjoyed Chapters 3 (Committed Listening) & 4 (Powerful Speaking) the most. Committed Listening is the application of the Stephen Covey principle of seeking first to understand and then to be understood, and thus, if practiced, would prevent many misunderstandings early in the process before they have opportunity to become major problems.
Committed Listening provides "opportunities for building trust with others and creates space for new solutions" (solutions you otherwise would have forfeited even being introduced to).
Powerful Speaking will remind you of the best things you liked about the best boss you ever had, because it fosters respect and invites others to actively participate in pursuing a solution. To borrow from Stephen Covey again, it gives you the best chance to enjoy a win-win scenario. This book teaches you how and when to ask which questions.
Committed Listening provides "opportunities for building trust with others and creates space for new solutions" (solutions you otherwise would have forfeited even being introduced to).
Powerful Speaking will remind you of the best things you liked about the best boss you ever had, because it fosters respect and invites others to actively participate in pursuing a solution. To borrow from Stephen Covey again, it gives you the best chance to enjoy a win-win scenario. This book teaches you how and when to ask which questions.
December 19, 2021
This would be an especially helpful read for any teachers or educational leaders new to coaching.
It makes a very clear delineation between mentoring and coaching, and outlines the pitfalls of leaders doling out advice to anyone and everyone like you’re Oprah during the 12 days of Christmas. The chapter on active and committed listening is particularly helpful for leaders, both new and old, as a it reminds the reader of the various reasons people come to coaches, and very rarely is it actually to listen to us speak.
The handbook is a quick and helpful tool with useful strategies and tips. Again, helpful for new coaches or ed leaders looking to move away from supervisory or mentor leadership and toward coaching conversations.
It makes a very clear delineation between mentoring and coaching, and outlines the pitfalls of leaders doling out advice to anyone and everyone like you’re Oprah during the 12 days of Christmas. The chapter on active and committed listening is particularly helpful for leaders, both new and old, as a it reminds the reader of the various reasons people come to coaches, and very rarely is it actually to listen to us speak.
The handbook is a quick and helpful tool with useful strategies and tips. Again, helpful for new coaches or ed leaders looking to move away from supervisory or mentor leadership and toward coaching conversations.
July 11, 2018
This book was assigned for a grad class, but I genuinely enjoyed it and found it applicable to both my personal and professional lives. It highlighted some communication skills that - although at times seem obvious - help frame conversations positively, encourage active listening, and intentionally speaking. Those all happen to be things I could get better at, so I’m glad I read it.
March 9, 2025
I honestly forgot I finished this book because it is blending together with all of my coursework. I’m definitely beginning to see the negative patterns in my conversations that I need to overcome in order to be a more effective coach and person though. Whether I learned this from this book of “Better Conversations,” I’m not sure.
June 24, 2021
Great read for novice coaches
As a teacher entering into coaching, this book was insightful and showed me the importance of active listening.I look forward to implementing these tools in the coming school year.
As a teacher entering into coaching, this book was insightful and showed me the importance of active listening.I look forward to implementing these tools in the coming school year.
December 27, 2019
I plan to type up the appendices to use the questions / prompts in my coaching conversations.
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May 18, 2020Read as a book study.
November 30, 2021
I liked this! Good discussion strategies, creative examples and stories, great models.
July 14, 2023
Read for masters program/ work. Short and sweet. Good takeaways for teacher observations and coaching!
December 31, 2024
Was assigned for a leadership class but realized how valuable this book is for all leaders and education professionals. Really good book and helpful if you dive in and practice coaching leadership.
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July 11, 2011Great professional read to transform how you work with others!
November 19, 2013
Small but mighty. This book is a good resource. It's a quick read and I refer to it before a coaching session.
August 21, 2015
Fantastic!
May 15, 2021
Soo good. Changed the way I think and enter into conversation immediately in most of my life settings, not just work purposes.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews