Learning Objectives
This module introduces the core responsibilities, mindset, and behaviours that define effective coaching. It highlights how coaching differs from teaching or mentoring and provides foundational practices for supporting learners.
Teaching: Delivers knowledge and skills.
Mentoring: Offers advice based on experience.
Coaching: Helps learners discover solutions through inquiry and reflection.
Coaching focuses on empowering learners to think independently and develop confidence.
Communicate goals, roles, and responsibilities clearly.
Establish realistic expectations for both coach and learner.
Align on what success looks like during a session.
Create an environment where learners feel safe to ask questions and make mistakes.
Build rapport through respect, empathy, and encouragement.
Promote openness without fear of judgment.
Encourage learners to view challenges as learning opportunities.
Reinforce that skills improve with effort and practice.
Praise persistence and progress, not just outcomes.
Coaching is a partnership where the coach guides the learner to identify their own solutions. Unlike teaching or mentoring, coaching emphasizes reflective questioning, active listening, and learner ownership.
Coaching strengthens problem-solving abilities and builds confidence, especially for beginners from underrepresented groups in tech. It supports independence and long-term growth.
Begin each session by clarifying:
The Goal: What the learner wants to achieve.
Roles: Your role as a coach versus their role as a learner.
Definition of Success: Progress, understanding, or confidence gained.
Setting expectations doesn’t need to be formal or lengthy, it’s simply making sure you and your learner are on the same page. A quick conversation at the start can help the learner feel more prepared and reduce uncertainty. For example, you might say, “By the end of this session, it would be great if you feel more confident with "xyz".
My role is to help you think through the problems, your role is to try things out and ask questions along the way.”
Clear expectations prevent confusion and help the session stay focused.
Psychological safety means learners feel comfortable expressing ideas or making mistakes without fear of embarrassment.
Many beginners, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, may hold the belief that they “don’t belong” in tech. As a coach, your tone, body language, and reactions play a big role in countering that.
Demonstrate respect and active listening.
Active listening is more than just hearing words, it shows the learner that you are fully present and genuinely interested in their thought process.
Examples include:
Reflecting back: “So it sounds like you’re stuck on how the function returns its value—did I get that right?”
Pausing before responding: Giving the learner space to finish their thought instead of jumping in.
Encouraging with prompts: “Tell me more about what you were thinking here.”
Checking understanding: “When you say the code ‘doesn’t work,’ what behaviour are you expecting?”
Non-verbal cues: Nodding, maintaining open posture, and keeping your attention on the learner rather than your screen.
Active listening builds trust because the learner feels seen, supported, and taken seriously.
Use the learner’s name and show empathy.
Reinforce that mistakes are part of the learning process.
Celebrate small wins to build confidence.
Be patient with silence, learners sometimes need time to think.
Creating safety is about creating a space where the learner is willing to try and doesn't fear asking questions.
A growth mindset emphasises that abilities can improve through effort and learning.
Frame challenges positively.
Reframe failures as learning opportunities.
Ask reflective questions such as:
"What did you learn from this?"
"What could you try next time?"
Praise effort and perseverance.
This mindset helps learners build resilience and confidence.
1. Which statement best describes the role of a coach?
A. To give learners the correct answers.
B. To use personal experience to advise learners.
C. To guide learners toward discovering their own solutions.
D. To deliver technical content step-by-step.
2. What is a key part of setting expectations?
A. Ensuring the learner completes all tasks perfectly.
B. Making sure the learner understands your role and their role.
C. Avoiding discussion of goals so the session can flow naturally.
D. Prioritising speed over understanding.
3. Psychological safety in coaching means:
A. Learners avoid asking questions.
B. Learners feel safe to make mistakes and express ideas.
C. Coaches correct every error immediately.
D. Learners must demonstrate confidence at all times.
4. A growth mindset encourages learners to view challenges as:
A. Indicators that they are not skilled enough.
B. Opportunities to learn and grow.
C. Problems to avoid.
D. Tasks that only experts can handle.
5. Which of the following is an example of active listening during a coaching session?
A. Interrupting the learner to correct their mistake.
B. Waiting silently while the learner thinks, then reflecting back what you heard.
C. Looking at your phone while the learner explains their code.
D. Giving the learner the exact solution so they can move on quickly.
Scenario 1: You are coaching a beginner who feels embarrassed because they made a mistake while writing Python code. They say, “I’m just not good at this.”
Task:
Write 3–4 sentences describing how you would respond as a coach.
Your response should:
Reinforce psychological safety
Apply a growth mindset
Offer encouragement without giving the solution immediately
Scenario 2: A learner says, “I don’t understand why my loop keeps running forever.”
Task: Write 1–2 sentences demonstrating active listening before offering any guidance.