The UO Peer Coaching Program leverages UO colleagues' talents to coach and support each other. It uses principles from Michael Bungay Stanier's acclaimed books, The Coaching Habit and How to Tame Your Advice Monster, to cultivate a culture of curiosity, active listening, and effective coaching within our community.
Peer Coaching Objectives
Develop coaching skills
Learn and practice the seven essential coaching questions from The Coaching Habit to foster deeper, more meaningful conversations.
Tame your Advice Monster
Understand and manage your impulse to give advice, enabling more empowering and insightful conversations.
Build a peer support network
Be part of a supportive environment where you can share experiences, challenges, and successes in lasting relationships with colleagues.
Who Should Participate
The peer coaching program is ideal for UO employees who want to enhance their coaching and feedback skills, improve their communication, and contribute to a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
The 2025-2026 Peer Coaching Program includes Officers of Administration, Classified Employees, and graduates from the VPFA LEADS program.
Other colleagues are participating in a similar program this year through the UO Leadership Academy and Office of the Provost's Peer Leadership Coaching Program.
Peer Coaching Roles
As a coachee, you will:
- Develop a community of peers.
- Connect with resources to support your ability to thrive.
- Learn to work through obstacles and overcome challenges and barriers.
- Experience the gift of being deeply heard, understood, and supported by a peer.
As a coach, you will:
- Engage in open dialogue about key issues and experiences in higher education.
- Develop deep listening skills and engage with new approaches for leading and mentoring.
- Gain new perspectives and ways of thinking from the coaching mindset.
- Enhance your active listening and communication skills and learn to avoid the "advice trap."
Principles of Coaching, Michael Bungay Stanier
- The Coaching Habit, focusing on the Core Message (5 minute overview video)
- How to tame your Advice Monster TedX (14 minutes)
How to Participate
Due to the success of our 2024-25 pilot program, we will expand our Peer Coaching opportunities within the UO community. Anticipated programs launch Fall 2025.
- Let us know you are interested in learning more or participating by filling out our peer coaching interest form.