Coaching at Flinders - Flinders University Staff

At Flinders we engage with coaching in a range of different approaches to support individuals with their ongoing development.

Coaching has been identified as a key enabler of people’s performance, across a range of different industries. The idea of a professional tennis player, or soccer team not having a coach seems inconceivable. When speaking to coaches of professional sports stars however, they are generally not teaching them how to hit the tennis ball better or take the best penalty goal, they are enabling the individual to maximise performance.

The International Coach Federation (ICF) – the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals - defines ‘coaching’ as: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

While we often think of coaching as something only for executives, coaching skills are key to effective leadership within complex organisations to enable individuals and teams to maximise their performance and thrive.

Developing your coaching skills

Coaching skills for leaders is a full day workshop for professional leaders which aims to develop understanding of the value of coaching, to develop and deepen their coaching skills, and learn how to set up a conversation for success. The workshop will help participants develop their coaching competency and practice their skills in a safe and supportive learning environment.

You may also wish to explore funding opportunities, for example, the Professional Staff Development Fund, to develop your coaching skills further via accredited coaching courses .

Individual coaching

Internal coaching

These involve individual sessions booked with the Senior Learning & Development Consultant via the Staff Learning Portal. This is an opportunity to experience coaching yourself, as well as to identify strengths and challenges, explore options for sustainable change, help to set goals, and gain commitment for actions. It is most useful to bring a specific issue you want to work on to the coaching session.

External executive coaching

Should you be interested in recommendation or referral to an external, locally or self-funded coach, we are able to support identification of suitable coaches.