The Harmony of “Teaching” and “Not Teaching”
Coaching is not teaching, teaching is teaching. Teaching requires knowledge, coaching doesn’t. Anyone can coach anything with a little knowledge of coaching. So don’t be afraid to try coaching, or to teach someone, something. You know about, but be aware of the difference.
Having worked as a coach for 18 years, I have always encouraged my clients to question themselves and find their own answers. However, recently, the door to “teaching” has been reopened to me in the form of tutoring my niece in math and English, starting a listening course, and responding to consultations from former subordinates. Although I have maintained a stance of “not teaching” up until now, this new phase feels like guidance from the universe.
The first time I faced the challenge of “teaching” was when I served as a manager in an apparel store. Despite having no experience in the apparel industry, I was appointed manager due to my experience in management. However, the situation of not being able to teach my subordinates was very uncomfortable because I couldn’t teach anything. It was during this time that I discovered coaching and learned that even without knowledge of apparel, by asking questions and drawing out answers from others, I could encourage specific actions and motivation. I had great expectations for coaching skills, and they led to results beyond my expectations. Naturally, this led me to start working as a coach.
After becoming independent, the number of people asking me to teach them how to become independent increased, and there were times when it was distressing to have to teach despite being a coach. I seriously wondered if I should just call myself a consultant. I was also asked to leverage my successful experiences in the apparel industry, and in fulfilling my role as a consultant, I experienced the challenges of teaching. Ultimately, I was let go by both companies.
Despite my conflict between “teaching” and “not teaching,” I eventually decided to focus solely on coaching. However, as time passed, opportunities to teach presented themselves again, leading me to reacknowledge the value of combining educational and coaching skills. The techniques of coaching, especially stimulating thought through listening and questioning and guiding people to self-discovery, are extremely important in educational contexts as well. I have come to realize that these skills can add depth to the learning process and provide personalized learning experiences.
Even in moments when I felt unable to teach, coaching skills proved to be beneficial, serving as a catalyst for learners to enhance their self-efficacy. For instance, even though I had forgotten Pythagoras’ theorem, I was able to instill a passion for mathematics in my niece. By identifying a starting point based on her existing knowledge and interests and supporting her learning process through questioning, we were able to grow together and experience a sense of accomplishment.
In my listening courses, I utilize coaching techniques to deepen dialogues with participants, creating an environment where we can learn from each other. These experiences have convinced me that combining “teaching” and “not teaching” can maximize learners’ potential and form the essence of learning.
The traditional method of “teaching” and the “non-teaching” style that promotes self-discovery may seem to be in opposition at first glance. However, in reality, they complement each other and can enhance the learning experience even further. By integrating these approaches, learners can maximize their own potential. What is provided is not merely knowledge, but a journey of self-discovery itself. Through this approach, we can learn and grow together, exploring infinite possibilities.