As a lover of school and a lifetime student, I am always jazzed about starting a new school year. A major appeal is the opportunity for new beginnings each year. We don’t have to wait for a new year to have a new beginning, yet there is something about the flow of school calendars that makes this time an opportune one for reflection, goal setting, and the delicious anticipation of what lies ahead to be accomplished. Much reflection and planning has already taken place as the previous school year concludes, overlapping with getting ready for the new one. What remains is the buzz of excitement as new possibilities await!

Knowing it is crucial to motivate and inspire those we lead to create a sound beginning, we also must be ready for the marathon of staying the course when the new wears off and the work becomes hard.

Here are 12 crucial questions from Gallup’s Q12 Engagement Survey for coach leaders to be prepared to respond to now and throughout the year:

1. I know what is expected of me at work.
2. I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.
3. At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.
4. In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work.
5. My supervisor or someone at work seems to care about me as a person.
6. There is someone at work who encourages my development.
7. At work, my opinions seem to count.
8. The mission/purpose of my organization makes me feel my job is important.
9. My associates or co-workers are committed to doing quality work.
10. I have a best friend at work.
11. In the last six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress.
12. In the last year, I had opportunities to learn and grow.

Threads of our work at Results Coaching Global are present in these 12 “questions”. What connections are you noticing to the following?

• The essential skills of listening, paraphrasing, presuming positive intent and reflective feedback
• The trust research
• Standards and Expectations
• SCARF
• Positive psychology

Resolve to create a solid new beginning by intentionally connecting with all stakeholders through your coach leader identity. Create and sustain an environment of trust, motivation, and inspiration that is sustainable through good times as well as the more difficult times. Have a great new school year!