The Developing Mentors & Coaches Thumball takes players through a playful activity that explores their personality and preferences on a range of topics.  It's a creative way to get to know each other a bit better.

Many are called upon to coach or mentor a colleague, friend, or “newbie,” with little understanding of what effective coaching and mentoring look like. The task of developing others and helping them grow can be critical to organizational success. It can also be richly fulfilling and energizing to the coach or mentor.

This developmental Thumball focuses on improving the skills of coaches and mentors themselves, not the individuals they seek to help. The 31 prompts on the ball will help them better understand their role, the benefits of helping others grow, and effective coaching/mentoring techniques at their disposal. 

It's easy to play! Catch the ball, look under your thumb, and share your reaction to the prompt.Thumballs look like soccer balls but are are soft and safe for indoor use at work, school, and home. 

MENTORING AND COACHING THUMBALL PROMPTS

This ball is designed to help build the skill of new and seasoned coaches and mentors. Understandably, the roles and techniques used by coaches and mentors differ, as you will likely discuss when facilitating this activity. Nonetheless, the skills needed to help others grow, the self-awareness required to be good at it, and the challenges faced when coaching and mentoring others are similar and complementary. As such, players are encouraged to adapt the prompts to their specific role and needs.

FACILITATION TIPS

1. Explain the goal. To become better mentors and/or coaches. Explain that the ball has questions for both roles and the player can adapt their question and answer to their needs.
2. Don’t rush. Appreciate that some may not be able to give quick answers; others might want to take some time to discuss their thoughts.
3. Give players a “pass.” If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or TOSS AGAIN.

A VARIETY OF GAME FORMATS

• Have everyone reply to the same prompt.
• Toss the ball from player to player, so each participant can reply to a different prompt.
• Take a deep dive and have players jot their own answer before discussing the topic with a partner or small group.
• Add-in other Thumballs for more variety.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

NOTE: This ball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.