Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle, (12) Tip #12, Notes

Post date: Oct 11, 2018 12:22:48 PM

Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle

TIP #12 FIVE WAYS TO PICK A HIGH-QUALITY TEACHER OR COACH Great teachers, coaches, and mentors, like any rare species, can be identified by a few characteristic traits. The following rules are designed to help you sort through the candidates and make the best choice for yourself.

• 1. Avoid Someone Who Reminds You of a Courteous Waiter - This species of teacher/coach/mentor is increasingly abundant in our world: one who focuses his efforts on keeping you comfortable and happy, on making things go smoothly, with a minimum of effort. This is the kind of person who covers a lot of material in a short time, smiles a lot, and says things like, “Don’t worry, no problem, we can take care of that later.” This is a good person to have as your waiter in a restaurant, but a terrible person to have as your teacher, coach, or mentor.

  2. Seek Someone Who Scares You a Little - In contrast to encounters with courteous waiters, encounters with great teachers/coaches/mentors tend to be filled with unfamiliar emotion: feelings of respect, admiration, and, often, a shiver of fear. This is a good sign. You’re not looking for a buddy or a parent figure. You’re looking for someone solid, someone you trust, someone with whom you take a journey. Look for someone who:

     1. Watches you closely: He is interested in figuring you out—what you want, where you’re coming from, what motivates you.

     2. Is action-oriented: She often won’t want to spend a lot of time chatting—instead, she’ll want to jump into a few activities immediately, so she can get a feel for you and vice versa.

     3. Is honest, sometimes unnervingly so: He will tell you the truth about your performance in clear language. This stings at first. But you’ll come to see that it’s not personal—it’s the information you can use to get better. It’s worth noting that the word “coach” originally came from kocsi, the Hungarian word for “carriage.”

  3. Seek Someone Who Gives Short, Clear Directions - Most great teachers/coaches/mentors do not give long-winded speeches. They do not give sermons or long lectures. Instead, they give short, unmistakably clear directions; they guide you to a target. Teaching is not an eloquence contest; it is about creating a connection and delivering useful information.

  4. Seek Someone Who Loves Teaching Fundamentals - Great teachers will often spend entire practice sessions on one seemingly small fundamental. The vital reality is that these fundamentals are the core of your skills. The more advanced you are, the more crucial they become.

  5. Other Things Being Equal, Pick the Older Person - Teaching is like any other talent: It takes time to grow. Great teachers are first and foremost learners, who improve their skills with each passing year. That’s not to say there aren’t any good teachers under thirty—there are. Nor is it to say that every coach with gray hair is a genius—they’re not. But other things being equal, go with someone older.