Coaching in Higher Education : A generic training model to prevent stress

Abstract Background - In today’s fragmented world, university students often experience increasing pressure, which in turn lead to projected responsibility and increasing demands on university lecturers. For both students and lecturers this can cause stress. A basic prerequisite for success in the work with education is commitment, and visible and distinct “leadership”. The leaders, in this case are e.g., teachers and supervisors. Their most important role in the student’s development process is to motivate, coach and help developing individuals. Hence, it is significant to have functioning tools in order to lower the experienced stress level and to prevent illness, and at the same time encourage the individuals to take responsibility for their own developing process. Purpose – This paper aims to present a tentative model for coaching students in order to give them insights in their own developing process. Methodology/Approach: This paper is based on a combination of literature study and an investigation, in order to create a pilot study of a generic coaching model used in new surroundings. The model is then tested. Findings - The study indicates that there are different uses for coaching models. These models can help develop behaviour, developing the individual, the process or an organization. There are also strong links between the studied coaching models and how organizational development may be pursued. For example, the importance of interaction between the coach, leader (in this case the lecturer), as well as the student mentioned in the study, and can be translated into relationship. Further on, coaching for development of the individual and/or the process at the same time embraces respect for people and is adapted to the situation. A coaching model is usually phased. It is about a trust-based learning process that takes place between the coach and the recipient of coaching. This can be done through open, relevant framing of questions which should be based on the situation and the objectives. This conference paper suggests a generic training model based on the literature and an investigation. Practical Implications - The major implication of the study is to emphasise that the students have the responsibility for their own development, but with the help of university lecturers and a coaching tool the appreciated stress and pressure can be processed. Value of the paper – The study makes a contribution to the area of Quality Management in Higher Education and the toolbox for Teachers’ Leadership. Keywords: Leadership in teaching, Coaching, Individual Learning, Quality in Higher Education, Toolbox for Lecturers. Article classification: Research paper