Success Coaching doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Collaborating with other campus offices and partners will help you best serve the students you’re guiding. For instance, at Hartwick College (NY), students are told that their Success Coach leads their personal Guidance Team in a collaborative effort. “Your Guidance Team is serious about getting you where you want to go,” according to their website. “As partners on your FlightPath [future-focused approach to education personalized for each student], they’ll help you identify and grow toward your goals, offering career insights, academic advice, and personal support throughout your journey. Each year, they’ll help you build on what you’ve learned as you prepare to launch a successful career."
A Hartwick Guidance Team is made up collaboratively of a…
Success Coach. Described as “your key collaborator in adjusting to college, connecting with campus resources, and moving into your future.”
Faculty Advisor. This person helps students “choose the best classes to advance your interests, navigate changes, answer questions, and keep you on track as you complete your degree.”
Career Coach. Students work one-on-one with a career guidance specialist “who will offer practical advice tailored to your goals.”
Collaborating Effectively
So, what does it take to be an effective collaborator? Author and presenter Liggy Webb wrote for LinkedIn that skills for success include…
- Being Well-Organized. Since collaborators need to coordinate well with others, it’s important not to operate in chaos.
- Managing Your Time. This helps you respect others’ time and be well-prepared.
- Listening to Understand. Demonstrate that you’re listening, avoid distractions and focus on what the other person is saying. As Webb wrote, “adopting a curious mindset is really useful."
- Being Appreciative. Reflect on what others are contributing and actively look for opportunities to express appreciation and gratitude. It can go a long way!
- Being Flexible. Collaboration often requires that you go with the flow, being open and adaptable to change, since things don’t always go as planned.
- Fostering Trust. An environment of trust and feeling safe sharing ideas, thoughts and suggestions is key within a collaborative team. Mistakes will be made and the focus needs to be on lessons learned rather than assigning blame.
As you collaborate with fellow coaches, other offices and, of course, your students, these skills can help you navigate your way to success.
Sources: LinkedIn, 8/22/22; Success Coaches, FlightPath and Guidance Teams, Hartwick College
Find more how-to and training info like this, as well as helpful campus profiles, within our NEW Student Success Coaching Guide!
