I am a firm believer in the fact that there are skills a coach possesses and skills they don’t. The important thing is to recognise this and now when you need to call in outside help. The reason I am writing this is I had an enquiry from someone that wants to brush up on their trad climbing and also wants help to push into the F8 grade.
The trad climbing I can help with, however I felt that I possibly lacked the level of knowledge to really help with the 8 grade issue. So I contacted another coach and got them on board to do a couple of days with the client. Unfortunately the dates fell through but it made me realise that there are indeed things I can help with and things beyond my current skill set.
The client is looking at other dates and hopefully the course will work out, as I am looking forward to observing another coach working at this level. As for me simpy observing the coach will be a form of continuing professional development, after all there is always something new to learn in coaching. The trick is to allow yourself the honesty to accept that we all have weaknesses. Secondly giving yourself the opportunity to work on your weaknesses is the only way to grow as a coach.
These are key tennants in my next book Effective Coaching: The Coaching Process for Climbing Instructors, which is due out next month. As well as covering aspects of the coaching process like teaching and learning, it also features a section on reflective practice that is all about professional development.
Anyway, I thought it was a interesting point for other coaches to examine and consider.