Abstract: Test Coach is becoming a popular job title within the Testing Community. This is no surprise given the rise of Agile Coaches within the IT Industry. But what is a Test Coach? How is it different to an Agile Coach? What type of coaching does a Test Coach do?
What might surprise you, is that many Test and Agile Coaches are not really coaching.
18 Months ago, I started working as an Agile Coach which led me to a disorientating dilemma. I was confident I knew lots about Agile and had previously called myself a “Test Coach” but I was soon to learn that I had a shallow understanding of Coaching and I was not alone. I’d come to realise that many self-identified test coaches, including myself, were really acting as Mentors rather than Coaches. Advice and instruction was more common than active listening or powerful questions. In fact, I hadn’t even realised Mentoring and Coaching were not that same thing!
In this talk, I will share the vital lessons that have led me to a deeper understanding of what Coaching is and what is means for your Test coaching practice. I will share my early experiences of coaching and some embarrassing stories from these early attempts. I’ll share what you should look out for in a good test coach. Finally, I’ll share my experience of undertaking a Professional Coaching course and accreditation with the ICF (International Coaching Federation).
I started out on my journey keen to understand how coaching could equip me with the best ways to help others. However, what I didn’t realise is that this would be more of a journey inwards, to a greater awareness of myself. I found that only first growing myself could I best serve others and being coached was an important part of enabling that growth.
I hope to inspire you by sharing my real-life experience. You will leave with practical insight into how to become a coach, be coached or grow further in becoming a test coach.
Learning Outcomes: - • Understand differences between Test Coach, Agile Coach and Professional Coach
- • Understanding of how coaching and mentoring are not the same
- • Reflection on your current coaching approach
- • Coaching techniques you can use within your test coaching practice
