By Siobhan Challis in 2022.
Creating a better learning environment through Gratitude, Coach-Ability & Progressive Thinking.
Over the years we’ve all come across situations, where having to be open minded to new ideas and a way of progressive thinking was not just an option but a must. Advancement towards better conditions, policies and methods are integral as trainers. As coaches in the snowboarding industry, we will always need to adapt, rethink and stay on top of our game. This article will shed some light on how create an environment during coaching/training in which it is easy to learn, feel appreciated and keep an open mind to progressiveness. Snowboarding is a way of life for many of us, it is our job and our passion. We are all here to keep improving the sport and become the best snowboarding versions of ourselves. It comes down to creating a better learning environment through coaching the group as a team.
Creating the Team Environment Umbrella
We need to be advocates for this environment and an active participant. Taking a snowboard lesson might not put a massive amount of pressure on your student but ultimately, we don’t know how they might feel. Where their personal standards lay and what has shaped them culturally? During a Level 1 workshop or other qualification, competition etc. the pressure is on. It comes down to us as trainers to create an environment in which core needs are not only met but a tone is set on where progress, coach-ability and gratitude take a key role.
Thinking of an umbrella, we can imagine raindrops falling from the sky, looking for somewhere to land. We can decide to expand our umbrella when it gets too rainy and find shelter underneath. The team environment umbrella ultimately provides a safe space, a learning environment where thankfulness, progressive thinking and staying coachable are pillars to set the tone.
Progressive Thinking
Favoring or advocating progress is another way of describing progressive thinking. It comes down to allowing change and focusing on improvement. Through finding tools like progressiveness (mentally as well a technically), we can also stay open minded to approaching our students in a way that helps them feel seen. Why would progressiveness help anyone feel seen?
*Through being open to progress, we allow ourselves to listen. Walking through life with a learner’s mindset and the ability to see everything as an opportunity to learn is a way to practice progressiveness on a daily basis. When trying to create a learning environment in which people feel seen, approaching them on the same level and respecting their opinions is of most importance. Every single student will have the feeling they are treated the same way. Allowing every member of the group become a part of the team by being open to each of them can set the tone for the entire week – even longer.
Coach-ability (be curious) & Gratitude
Now let’s look at Coach-ability and Gratitude before we link it up with Progressive Thinking, what these have in common & why they help create a learning environment. Firstly, staying coachable can also be described as trainable, guidable and looking at things from a learner’s mindset. As trainers, coaches, students, clients, … staying coachable is key to any progress we want to make and see within others. Also, coach-ability is a way of taking ownership and being accountable for what you say, do, decisions you make and actions you take.
Gratitude is being thankful and not taking things for granted. Gratitude will help focus on the bigger picture, it leads us into the power of now and helps to tackle tasks with humor. Many studies have shown that practicing gratitude will rewire you’re brain to be able to think more positive. Through thinking positive and seeing the bigger picture, we can become amazing teammates. As far as learning environments go, feeling appreciated and seen are two main focal points that we are after, right? Through, creating an approach that is led by a more positive mindset through being grateful (for the opportunity, the new people we are meeting, the knowledge we get to share and take in, …) we will be able to help others in the group, be supportive and still have a full cup to look after oneself.
When we are training students on one of our workshops, the ultimate goal is to pass right? When being grateful for the progress, the goal of passing might not be as important and can take away a ton of pressure. Shifting the focus on an amazing environment rather than passing, the chance of taking away more than expected is given.
Goal: Feeling ready to tackle anything and step out of comfort zones – emotionally & physically and to feel wanted/safe in the environment set/within the team.
By being grateful, we stay coachable, by staying coachable we can progress – by progressing we and the sport will keep improving.
What does this mean for the team environment that we are trying to build? Gratefulness comes first, we appreciate the opportunity, the mountain, the fact that we get to snowboard (together), we get to learn new things, expand our minds, … the list goes on. We train our brain to function with positivity first. Through approaching things on a positive note, we can learn, we stay (or become) coachable. Looking at it through the umbrella lens, the pillar of gratefulness stands strong, by being aware and training the brain towards a more grateful mindset. Looking at our second pillar – Coach-Ability – we are open towards other people’s opinions; Therefore, we can take feedback and look at things through a pair of learner’s eyes. Being coachable will also keep us humble and will help to really look at each other on the same level. The third pillar, progressiveness is very similar to the coachability but goes deeper. It comes down to being curious, some might even say bold and try new things, listen, and branch out into new paths.
Now putting all these pillars together, the feeling in the group will hopefully be one in which one feels supported and heard. We’re all in this together so whenever you feel someone’s not feeling great or is struggling with something – remind them (and yourself) of the umbrella.