As leaders, one of our most important responsibilities is to support and empower those we lead. One effective way to do this is through coaching conversations that foster growth and improvement. Balancing directness with support can be challenging, but adopting a mindset of ‘Being a Witness to the Good’ can help. This approach focuses on highlighting strengths, fostering hope, and driving meaningful progress
To truly support and empower those we lead, we need to shift our attention from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. This is where the concept of ‘Being a Witness to the Good’ comes in. ‘Being a Witness to the Good’ means consciously focusing on the positive aspects of our interactions with others. This requires a shift in attention, particularly towards Top-Down attention—where we intentionally look for strengths—rather than Bottom-Up attention, which often fixates on negatives. While it’s natural to notice what’s going wrong, ‘Being a Witness to the Good’ involves actively seeking out what’s going well, even in challenging situations. This mindset helps us stay focused on growth rather than obstacles.
By adopting the ‘Witness to the Good’ mindset, we foster an environment of connection, empowerment, and hope. When we focus on what’s going well, we build trust and confidence, which helps those we lead believe in their ability to improve. This shift in focus not only encourages personal growth but also strengthens relationships, making it easier to address challenges together.
When we truly ‘Witness the Good,’ we foster hope—not just as a feeling, but as a belief in the possibility of improvement. Let me illustrate this with an example from my own experience coaching a new teacher who was looking to improve student engagement in their classroom.
During a post-observation coaching conversation, it was clear that their student engagement needed improvement. The teacher was visibly upset, as they had faced many challenges with classroom management this year. I shared that I noticed the respect their students had for them and how their strong classroom routines kept things moving smoothly. I then wondered aloud with them if they could leverage their strong relationships and routines to gradually expand opportunities for student discussion. This led to the teacher coming up with ideas like using student-generated discussion expectations and setting small goals to encourage positive interaction during instruction. The shift in focus from what wasn’t working to what was going well helped the teacher feel more confident and empowered to make adjustments.
Hope Theory outlines three essential components: Pathways (multiple ways or strategies to achieve goals), Agency (the belief in yourself and that goals are achievable), and Empowerment (the drive to act). When we focus on strengths, we help create pathways to action, reinforcing the belief that success is possible.
By focusing on strengths, we not only help individuals believe that success is possible, but we also empower them to take specific actions toward their goals. Here’s how you can incorporate this mindset into your own coaching practice.
- Be Direct, Specific, and Non-Attributive:
When you ‘Witness the Good,’ be specific about what you’ve observed. For example, instead of saying, ‘You’re a great teacher,’ be specific of the evidence, ‘I noticed that each student responded positively when they entered the room, showing respect for you and your classroom.’ Being specific and non-judgmental helps the other person see their strengths more clearly. - Scale Questions (1-10):
“Scale questions encourage self-reflection and ownership of the conversation. Ask your coachee to rate their performance on a scale from 1 to 10. Follow up with a question like, ‘What would need to change for you to get closer to a 10?’ This opens the conversation for them to think about solutions and fosters a growth mindset. - Create Intentional Space:
Before diving into feedback, take a moment to assess the energy in the room. Observe your coachee’s body language, tone, and emotional state. Reflect on your own mindset as well—are you approaching the conversation with empathy and openness? Taking a moment to center yourself and your coachee will improve the quality of the conversation.
Being a ‘Witness to the Good’ is a mindset that can transform your leadership. By consciously focusing on strengths and recognizing what’s going well, we not only help those we lead realize their potential, but we also inspire them to take actionable steps toward their goals. This approach strengthens our relationships and fosters growth. Start practicing this mindset today and watch how it transforms your leadership and empowers those you support.
About the Author
Coming from a family of educators, Christina Ortega has devoted her career to public education for over 20 years in various capacities. She started her career as a Special Education Teacher teaching full-time learning support students. Christina then transitioned to the regular education classroom where she gained teaching experience at the elementary and middle school levels.
During her time as a classroom teacher and tenure as a technology facilitator, she found her passion for coaching and high impact instruction. In this role, she learned, implemented, and promoted blended learning with high impact instructional strategies in her building and district by way of professional development sessions and facilitative coaching capacities.
Christina transitioned into a full time Instructional Coaching role serving teachers at K-12 levels. It was in this role that she deepened her understanding of the Instructional Coaching Group and their resources as she transformed the district’s coaching program.
Today, Christina is a district level administrator as the Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator where she continues to expand her impact of empowering and equipping teachers, instructional coaches, and leadership teams with high effect instructional strategies for all students.
Christina lives in Hershey, PA with her husband, daughter, and their chocolate lab, Beauty.
Christina’s favorite quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Dr. Maya Angelou
Contact Information
Email: cortega@instructionalcoaching.com
