Coaching’s Ripple Effect in Education and Research - International Coaching Federation
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Coaching’s Ripple Effect in Education and Research

Posted by ICF Foundation | October 31, 2019 | Comments (0)

Pro bono coaching, provided through the ICF Foundation’s Ignite initiative, seeks to create a ripple effect of positive impact on social change for education.  Projects that were implemented during 2018 invested resources of time, people, energy, and financial support, ultimately reaching over 3 million people.  One such project was conducted by ICF Costa Rica. The success of the coaching speaks to the strength and scope of the Ignite initiative.

Coachee Andres Segura-Castillo was involved with the Ignite opportunity in Costa Rica for six months during 2018.  As a manager and researcher at Universidad Estatal A Distancia (Distance State University), Andres works with five colleagues and twelve students.  The focus of their work is on Innovation and Research in Environmental Sciences, Educational Technology, and Technology Applied to Social Studies.

“I have always had a lot of freedom in the work I do, and in the way I manage the lab,” says Andres. “My main priority has always been to promote innovation and new technology.”  However, according to Andres, changes in the environment, politics and climate have impacted the university’s culture and organization.

Andres has concluded that, “Leaders like myself need to keep an open-minded attitude and not be too attached to the traditional ways of doing things.”  In the past, most funding for the university has come from the state, and Andres points out that now, “It’s critical to be more open to collaborating with the business sector and other third-party partners.”

When the coaching began in May 2018, Andres was hoping to gain a clear direction and different perspective of his role as a manager; he wasn’t sure he was delivering his best.  These goals were important to Andres because the university was facing issues around sustainability, that is the ability to continue to compete at high levels.  He believed that the culture needed to be nurtured and needed to engage employees in improving quality.

The coaching sessions for Andres were set up for eight sessions to occur online over a sixth month period ending in November 2018.  According to Andres, the impact of the coaching went beyond the change of perspective. “It changed my life.  I realize now that even though I had been well trained and had a post-graduate degree, I did not understand how to manage people.”  Now Andres manages people in a more sympathetic way conveying unity and vision.

Additionally, Andres, a musician, began to bring personal parts of himself into his work. “The musical side of me is essential to the way I see the world.”  Andres decided to approach his management style as an Awá—an indigenous word of the Costa Rican Bribri tribe for a leader in the community who uses music to heal people.  He sees his colleagues as an orchestra, he is the conductor, and listening is like music.  “There is a rhythm to managing people, and I have to be mindful of the tonality to turn my ear behind the words,” he says.  This has led to increased unity and open collaboration in the lab.

The impact of this change in his approach has been significant for both himself and the lab.

For Andres, he:

  • Has delegated project management to others
  • Is no longer overwhelmed and has been able to trust colleagues and delegate work
  • Has reduced the amount of time spent managing projects, saving 10 hours a week and allowing him to do other work that helps the organization
  • Published two new papers
  • Has opened more collaboration with businesses

For the lab, the impact includes:

  • Three new projects
  • $25,000 additional funds and new equipment
  • A shift  from 100% dependency on government to increased collaboration with businesses
  • The hiring of more experienced professionals, which ensures that the lab can compete at a higher quality level

A partnership between the ICF Foundation and Lisa Ann Edwards has allowed Ignite to monitor the success of these initiatives and determine the extent of the return on investment. This is accomplished by gathering survey results, interviewing participants, including Andres, and aggregating data.

ICF Foundation

Established in 2004, the ICF Foundation (one of the International Coaching Federation’s six family organizations) connects and equips professional coaches and organizations to accelerate and amplify impact on social progress through coaching. The ICF Foundation's programs include our Social Impact Pilot Project, ICF Coaches for Good and Ignite: Engaging Humanity Through Education is part of the ICF Foundation’s long-term strategy to advance social progress through coaching by aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the United Nations. To learn more or to get involved with Ignite, please contact the Foundation’s staff at information@foundationoficf.org  

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.

Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.

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