What is coaching?
Coaching is a way to improve newswriting by helping journalists do their best work. It focuses on improving the writers instead of the copy.
How does coaching differ from fixing?
| FIXING |
COACHING |
| a) Focuses on the editor’s control |
a) Focuses on the writer’s growth |
| b) Leads to dependency and frustration |
b) Builds the writer’s confidence |
| c) Solves immediate problems, but must be repeated again and again |
c) Takes longer initially, but frees editor and writer over time |
| d) Sets individual against individual |
d) Encourages team work |
What must the editor/coach do?
- Let the writer talk first and most.
- Listen intently.
- Encourage the writer by looking for areas to praise.
- Ask useful questions.
- Help the writer develop the piece while leaving ownership with the writer.
An inventory
Give 3 answers for each.
1. How does an editor or writer help you do your best work?
2. How does that person hinder your best efforts?
3. How do you help that person?
4. What would that person like you to change about the way you work?
Writing and editing personal goals
- Improve the communications to improve the journalism.
- Take responsibility for your growth.
- Look for newsroom heroes/heroines and learn from them.
