BobbyRobidouxJan29,2017

EDTC0560
UsingTechnologyforTeachingandTechnology

Assignment 2 Problem
Statement

Coaching as a Leader

Coaching skills and Leadership development for

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
 In 2015 Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) completed a
corporation wide employee engagement survey. Various areas of
opportunity were identified, but one was determined by the executive
to be a priority: Managerial effectiveness. In early 2016, the
Organizational Development department began bringing in external
programs as well as developing in-house courses around leadership
development.

Of the range different training programs introduced, the largest

investments of corporation resources and time have gone into a
program called Coaching As A Leader. A company called Change
Innovators produced this program. It runs seven-month and is
comprised of seven four-hour courses, each delivered approximately a
month apart. The 7 modules are titled:

1. Building Self-Awareness
2. Building a Strong Foundation for Coaching
3. Creating Positive Energy & The Science of Happiness
4. Creating the Coaching Relationship
5. Managing Performance by Leading Potential
6. Turning Inquiry and Exploration into Action
7. Creating a Dynamic Feedback Loop

The program is designed to slowly build a foundation of self-

awareness and communication skills over the first several months. In
the final stages, the focus shifts to eventually developing a toolkit of
coaching skills.

I was included as a participant in the first cohort of 56 leaders to

take the program. After completing the 7-month program, I was asked
to join the team of MBLL facilitators that would work along side the
external company to eventually bring the facilitation of the course
completely in-house. Both cohorts so far have included a mix of
executive level, senior, middle and front-line management

The training is delivered in class, using PowerPoint, flip charts, white

boards, printed material and workbooks. Occasional use of YouTube
videos during presentations is the extent of additional technology
being used during presentations. Even though this program was
developed Change Innovators, a modern and nimble company, I feel
that it still makes very limited use of educational technologies. This
isnt totally surprising however as It should be noted that Socrates
disapproved of writing (and hence text) as false knowledge; in
Socrates view, true knowledge could be acquired only through oral
communication, and in particular dialogue. It is hard to let go of
previous experience when faced with new media (Bates, 2012)

I see ample opportunity to introduce educational technology into

the courses. While the topics and concepts covered are modern and
challenge the traditions of corporate culture, I dont feel that the
delivery methods do nothing to enhance the modern feel of the
concepts being taught. Additionally it could possibly turn a challenge
into a strength: That challenge so far has been cell phones being
every-present during class. Since all participants are leaders in the
corporation with many at in senior manager positions, participants
answering important emails and text messages has not been
uncommon. I think that finding a way to incorporate the cell phones as
a learning tool could change the optics of their presence in the room.

Word count: 480

References:

Bates, T. (2012, March 10). Pedagogical roles for video in online learning. Retrieved from
tonybates.ca