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Sustaining the Journey Archive
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March 29, 2010
Listening for States of Mind in the Pace
Becoming an effective coach with the Problem-Resolving Map requires craftsmanship and consciousness
in the pace. One aspect of the pace which may not be visible in learning the pace template is
the capacity to listen for States of Mind. The coach is offering empathy, content, goals and
a pathway to the lead while simultaneously listening for what States of Mind are high and low
in the existing state. Consider the following words of the coachee:
- "I am so overwhelmed by the demands for test scores. I can't seem to find a way to teach
all the things I am supposed to teach, and I feel like I have lost the art of instruction to
the science."
- "I hate coming to work every day and feeling like I am not going to be supported by
my team. I am the new kid on the block and it feels like they don't think I have anything to
offer. My ideas are dismissed even though I try to listen to their ideas."
- "I am thinking about retiring, but am uncertain if I can recreate a life without teaching.
Teaching has been my life for over 30 years. What will I do with all that time? How can I feel
like I am making a contribution?"
- "The budget cuts are so demoralizing to me and my team. We work harder and harder to
get kids the experiences they need and they keep taking more away from us. I wonder if we can
function with the class sizes they are proposing. And then they want us to take furlough days,
too. The future is discouraging and frightening for all of us."
Consider how you might express empathy and content for each of the scenarios above. What might
a good goal sound like? What might be your diagnosis of the high and low States of Mind? What
evidence do you have to support your thinking?
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