The Office of Faculty Development has launched the Creative Coaching Program at UNMC. The program, designed specifically for faculty, aims to enhance performance and effectiveness while creating a coaching culture.
"We know that coaching is an invaluable tool for personal and professional development. It was a rising priority for us to create a framework that could serve our talent internally," said Linda Love, EdD, program creator and director of faculty development. She said that increased accountability, career exploration and leadership development are just a few potential benefits of coaching. Dr. Love noted that coaching differs from other developmental approaches like mentoring, sponsorship and counseling. (Read more about the differences here.)
Dr. Love said that, while widely used and understood in fields like sports, music and acting, coaching is a relatively new skill but growing in demand within the health professions education setting.
"Coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires self-discovery and unlocks potential – the benefits of coaching span the entire continuum of health science education, from learners to leaders," Dr. Love said.
To date, Faculty Development has facilitated the training of more than 20 UNMC coaches through the program. By exploring a variety of topics, ranging from career transitions to life-work integration, these UNMC coaches are trained to empower faculty to overcome obstacles and achieve career and life goals.
Sarah Richards, MD, associate professor in the UNMC Division of Hospital Medicine, is one of the program’s trained coaches. She encouraged faculty to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
"What I love most about coaching is that it is all about the person being coached," Dr. Richards said. "They decide the focus of the conversation. The coach listens and, through strategic questioning, leads the individual to realize the next step in their own journey. I am proud to be a part of the first class of UNMC coaches to move our organization forward in such a positive way."
Dr. Love said: "Coaching is a powerful and necessary investment in our talent. Just as athletes turn to their coach to perfect their form for peak performance, we hope that our faculty will utilize this program to help take their career to new heights. Over time, we hope the Creative Coaching program leads to a feedback-rich culture of empowered professionals that is interwoven into the fabric of UNMC."
For more information about coaching, the Creative Coaching Program or to schedule a one-on-one coaching session, visit the website.