7 Ways GOTR Coaching Positively Impacts Your Career
GOTR girls aren’t the only ones experiencing positive life transformations this (and every) season!
With an evidence-based curriculum that’s designed to meet the needs of today’s girls, Girls on the Run intentionally includes activities, games, and discussions that build confidence and life skills that last. And just as participants become more self-assured, form friendships, and reach major milestones each season, GOTR coaches also discover new strengths, develop meaningful relationships, and re-define skills of their own! Whether coaches are (like the team members) refreshing familiar skills or diving deep into an important topic for the first time, they become more competent, confident, and compassionate in every avenue of their life – including the workplace! Here are 7 Ways GOTR Coaching Positively Impacts Your Career!
Leadership development
When coaches sign up for a GOTR season, they quickly learn they are not only becoming instructors of the curriculum, they are becoming mentors! The powerful combination of being an educator, listener, and cheerleader all-in-one positions GOTR coaches as role models in their communities. Throughout the season, coaches develop high-level leadership skills as they guide and inspire girls to reach their full potential, even when it is challenging. Learning how to empower each girl to embrace her one-of-a-kind strengths not only advances coach leadership skills, but it also cultivates a supportive and nurturing atmosphere for everyone. These skills are readily transferrable to leading and managing teams and being a positive example to all those around you in the workplace.
Effective communication
From the moment girls enter practice, to the second they finish their 5K, coaches are prioritizing clear, comprehendible communication. Firstly, coaches are responsible for effectively delivering the curriculum and conveying instructions to the team. To promote an engaging, positive learning environment, coaches must check for understanding before each activity. Additionally, throughout practices, coaches learn how to provide constructive feedback and encouragement to participants, tailoring their communication style to each of their specific needs and personalities. These skills are also used to successfully navigate workplace interactions with people from various backgrounds, demeanors, and experience levels. After all, no two people communicate the same way, and we must be thoughtful about the power behind our words.
Teamwork and group dynamics
To guarantee a smooth, significant, and successful season, GOTR coaches work closely with a compassionate group of other coaches, volunteers, and local council staff members. By collaborating on a shared goal with other members of their community, coaches develop a better understanding of conflict resolution, coordination, and cooperation. And just as coaches are learning the value of working together, the curriculum is simultaneously teaching girls how to come together as a team. Through team-building activities, group discussions, and movement-based games, coaches teach girls how to be good listeners and kind-hearted cheerleaders. And similar to GOTR practices, teamwork is a major factor in the efficacy of any workplace. The GOTR lessons and coaching experience teaches coaches how to recognize, respect, and acknowledge the importance of each co-worker’s voice and what they bring to the table.
Problem-solving and flexibility
Occasional hiccups are a perfectly normal part of life. As such, GOTR teams may sometimes encounter unique challenges and obstacles, such as unexpected logistical issues, weather interruptions, or friction among team members. Such unpredictable situations require coaches to think critically and find creative solutions to overcome these challenges. Fortunately, the intentional GOTR lessons offer support through activities and discussions that encourage team members to solve problems thoughtfully, assume positive intent, and make decisions together. When coaches facilitate these activities and guide participants in developing their problem-solving skills, they, in turn, strengthen their own abilities to think analytically and find solutions. Just as no GOTR season is without its flaws, no workplace is perfect every day of the year. By re-learning how to stop, breathe, react and respond to issues and troubleshoot at GOTR, coaches become more confident and familiar with navigating conflict at work.
Time management
Between attending training sessions pre-season, reviewing lessons in advance, and, of course, attending practice and the 5K Celebration, GOTR requires coaches to keep their calendars handy! And for folks who may not know or need a refresher, GOTR seasons typically consist of hour-and-a-half practices twice a week for eight or ten weeks. Volunteering whilst keeping a job, going to school, raising a family, attending appointments, or participating in other activities, is an excellent exercise in improving time management capabilities. Giving back as a GOTR coach builds time management skills that are transferable in the workplace because it requires careful planning, preparation, and organization – all skills that are necessary in any professional environment. Coaching also prompts volunteers to ace the art of seeing each phase of the program timeline through. Coaches who possess expertise in these several skills and the specific steps they involve are often the employees who step up first to lead projects, assignments, or presentations at work.
Empathy and understanding
Every season, GOTR coaches guide young girls through a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. By actively listening to their stories, challenges, and triumphs, coaches develop a deep understanding of participants’ individual experiences and perspectives. Through this connection, coaches learn to empathize with each teammate’s struggles, celebrate their successes, and provide the support they need. Moreover, as coaches witness girls building new friendships, employing learnings from the GOTR lessons, embracing diversity, and learning to value one another, they are reminded of the powerful role empathy plays in creating compassionate and inclusive communities. Creating similar communities and environments of belonging in the workplace increases employee retention and benefits everyone. It also allows team members to speak with confidence, perform at their highest level, and maximize their resources or talent.
Adaptability
When it comes to navigating uncertainty, reducing stress, and maximizing inclusion, adaptability is a top tool for every GOTR coach. When coaches blend flexibility with versatility, they help create a meaningful, educational, and memorable experience for every participant and their preferred form of movement. A key component of adaptability is ensuring access for all. The GOTR curriculum includes an alternative set of instructions for every movement-based activity to ensure girls with disabilities can participate. Through this, coaches not only learn how to embrace change, but how to create inclusive spaces where every person can reach their limitless potential. And as the workforce continues to evolve and diversify over time, these skills become more relevant and important.
Coaches: Add these career skills to your LinkedIn profile or reference your experience as a coach in your next job interview. And potential coaches, click here to learn more about coaching and developing professional while empowering girls in your community!