A View from Kerry: The Coaching Power of Presence and Reflection

The recent photograph I took in Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland — a view of the moon hanging over the tranquil water with the night sky slowly revealing its stars — captures more than just a beautiful moment. It embodies a core coaching skill essential for every educator and school leader: Developing Advanced Listening Techniques and Non-Judgmental Presence.

Finding Stillness in the Educational Storm

As educators, our days are often a whirlwind of planning, teaching, decision-making, and crisis management. It’s easy to get swept up in the urgent and lose sight of the important. The image of the peaceful landscape serves as a reminder of the power of presence.

In coaching, "Presence" is the ability to be fully attentive to the coachee—whether a colleague, a teacher, parent or a student—without the distraction of our own inner voice, agenda, or judgments. It means being open to what is, rather than focusing on what should be.

Just as the quiet of the night allows the distant light of the moon to reflect clearly on the water, a coach's non-judgmental presence allows the coachee's true thoughts and potential to emerge clearly. It creates a safe space for deep reflection, which is rightly referred to as the heart of the learning process.

Reflection: The Engine of Growth

Reflection is the link between experience and knowledge. It is the critical process through which an educator can explore challenging moments, identify patterns, and intentionally adjust their practice.

When we cultivate presence, we enable truly meaningful reflection for those we coach. Looking at a natural scene like the one in my photograph can even enhance this process, offering a therapeutic setting that provides new perspectives and deepens insight.

For an educator, asking, "What does this experience teach me?" or "How could I approach this differently next time?" after a challenging conversation or a demanding class, is the most powerful catalyst for professional growth. This is the essence of what we call professional reflective practice.

Unlock Your Potential with EDUDOR

At EDUDOR, we believe that empowering educators to master these skills is key to unlocking potential within themselves, their teams, and their students. My own journey, rooted in over 30 years of teaching and leadership in the Irish education sector, and extensive international experience, has shown me the transformative power of a coaching approach.

I look forward to our upcoming Erasmus+ training course, Coaching Skills for Educators: A Transformative Learning Experience in Kerry, Ireland, where we will dive into this with participants.