Leadership · Developmental · Systematic

Coaching as a System

Simple, scalable tools for supporting staff at every level of the organization.

At a Glance

A lightweight, repeatable coaching system is more useful to a camp leader than a calendar full of 1:1s. This training gives leaders that system. It’s built around three tools that work together: a set of coaching questions any leader can learn and teach, a protocol for identifying which staff need support most urgently, and a planning framework for staff who need more structured help.

Leaders leave with all three tools ready to use and a clear sense of how to build them into the rhythms of a camp day.

THE PROBLEM

The leaders who develop the strongest staff aren’t giving better feedback. They’re working from a better system.

The expectation that leaders will support their staff is built into every camp leadership role. The preparation for doing it well rarely is. Without a system, leaders default to whatever feels natural in the moment, usually a quick conversation when something goes wrong or a check-in when they happen to have time. That approach requires significant bandwidth and strong instincts to do consistently well, and neither is available in unlimited supply over the course of a long summer.

This training gives leaders the tools to make support consistent before the summer runs out of both.

WHAT’S INSIDE

3 Core Modules

The Coaching Questions

Great coaching starts with great questions. Staff learn the difference between mentoring and coaching, why coaching is faster and more scalable, and how to tame the Advice Monster, the instinct to jump straight to advice before understanding the real issue. The training covers three essential back-pocket questions, each with specific techniques for getting the most out of them.

A set of coaching questions any leader can use immediately

The Lost Staff Drill

A team protocol for identifying which staff need support most urgently without relying on any one person’s read of the situation. Leadership teams work through their full staff list together, using a simple hand-signal system to surface patterns, gaps in information, and staff who are being overlooked. Run regularly, it gives leadership teams a shared picture of where support is needed across the whole staff.

A protocol for prioritizing staff support as a leadership team

Staff Coaching and Support Plans

When a staff member needs more than a coaching conversation, they need a plan. This module covers the three-part structure for building one: the precipitating behaviors, the specific interventions and supports, and the contingency actions if the plan doesn’t hold. Staff leave with a template and two worked examples they can reference.

A planning framework for staff who need structured support

WHO IT’S FOR

Supervisors

UNIT LEADERS

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

SECTION DIRECTORS

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Designed for anyone in a supervisory role at camp. Works well as part of a leadership development track during leadership-specific orientation. Particularly valuable for new leaders who are stepping into a supervisory role for the first time.

FORMAT & LOGISTICS

What to Expect

DURATION

1 - 2 Hours

Tends to be 1 hour. Longer with practice sessions built in.

DELIVERY

In-Person or Remote

Available on-site at your camp or virtually.

TIMING

Leadership Training

Works well as part of a leadership orientation track.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS WALK AWAY WITH

  • A three-part planning framework for staff who need structured support

  • A system for building consistent coaching into the rhythms of the summer

  • Three back-pocket coaching questions and how to use them

  • The Lost Staff Drill and how to run it with a leadership team

PAIRS WELL WITH

Build a Full Training Track

DIRECTOR LEVEL · HR & HIRING

Building Competency Models

Outline the key skills for a particular role to sharpen how you coach that role

LEADERSHIP · CAMPER BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS

Beyond Sticker Charts

The motivation-focused companion to this coaching framework.

STAFF TRAINING · PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

How to Get Fired or Get What You Want

Coaching is most effective when staff understand the professional context they’re being developed in.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

Bring This To Your Camp

Tell us a little about your organization and what you're looking for. We'll get back to you within 48 hours to talk through the details, customize the content for your context, and figure out what works for your budget and timeline.

Prefer to reach out directly?
jarod@thrivepointstudio.com