Coaching, Mentoring and Managing: A Coach Guidebook

he say it’s due?” you’re asking for trouble. If there is

distracting noise in your environment, move.

• Improve clarity by using illustrations
  and examples.
  Understanding is doubled or tripled when reinforced
  with illustrations. That’s just the way the human mind
  works. Memory tests conducted by the 3M
  Corporation revealed that “a picture is worth a
  thousand words.” Understanding and retention are
  enhanced when you tell, show and do.
  Example
  Coach:
  Okay now, remember, these trucks will be overloaded
  if the shingles are stacked higher than (pause) ... let’s
  see ... (looks around) ... Hank, how tall are you?
  Hank:
  Oh, about 5'11", I think.
  Coach:
  Perfect! Stack the shingles no higher than Hank and
  we’ll be fine.
  Use pictures, film strips or a CD whenever possible to
  clarify expectations.
  Coach:
  Okay, this is a bird’s-eye view of the stage. Everyone
  understand what you’re looking at? (general murmur
  of assent) Okay, then. Betsy, when the lights come up,
  you walk on the stage from Position “A” here and
  move to Position “B,” the podium, where Cliff will
  have the projector controls waiting for you. Got it?
  Betsy:
  Is Position “A” where the stairs are?
  Coach:
  Right. Now, Wes, when Betsy stops at the podium, you
  turn your spotlight on Position “C” over here and
  hold it for the count of ...

Coaching, Mentoring and Managing

3

Understanding is

doubled or tripled

when reinforced

with illustrations.