As a coach your job is to increase the capabilities of your students. This means creating a rapport with each individual student and learning how they learn best. Everyone is different and one explanation may not suit the entire class. Often times it is necessary to approach students individually and reword your original explanation. It is through these individual interactions that a rapport is built and the students learn.
Some of the best coaches Ive ever had were ones who I would now refer to as my friends. The individual attention they gave me formed a bond that in most cases will never be broken. I knew that they had my best interest in mind and they knew just how to get me to learn whatever it was they were teaching.
As a coach your personality matters. If you are not personable or approachable you are doing your students a disservice. There needs to be a certain level of comfort between coach and student in order for the student to learn. Adult learners in particular want to feel like they are part of the class. They need to be able to ask questions and be satisfied with the answers they are receiving. Talk to your students. Make sure they understand the why behind the how. Learn about what brings them to your class and what their goals are. Learn about any past experiences that they are comfortable sharing with you that may give you insight about why they are here and what they hope to accomplish. Build a rapport and a establish a friendly yet professional environment that fosters learning. And most importantly, remain approachable and humble. Always remember that with ability comes humility.
-Adam