Articles on Motorcycle Rider Education: Part XXIII – Key Traits, Supporting Characteristics, and Responsibilities of a RiderCoach
Although there are numerous traits, characteristics, and responsibilities associated with being a RiderCoach, the following seven seem to be pertinent in support of all other competencies and abilities. These key identifiers separate professional RiderCoaches from those who refer to it as a hobby or look at their roles differently than most. Sincerity, Student acceptance, personal appearance, demeanor, safety practices and incident prevention, proper language, and self-improvement can define the character of someone who models and takes the responsibility of the profession seriously.
Sincerity
RiderCoaches must be honest and frank with not only Students but their peers and administration as well. For Students, it is easy to sense hidden agendas or inadequacies during instruction. An off the cuff comment not supported by facts or a reasonable example will make it difficult to foster the transactional and authentic relationship used to maintain interest in the Student. Facilitation of a Student learning predicates a coach who is competent and qualified as a teacher with specific expertise in motorcycle operation. Pretentiousness or insincerity, whether real or assumed, will automatically turn-off Student confidence toward a coach who should be inspirational to them. A Student’s idea of safety will be short-lived if the coach appears to disregard the same through comment or action. The concept equally applies to the precision and accuracy of riding the motorcycle. A professional must be a model in every way.
Acceptance of the Student
Accept Students for who they are, with all their baggage and potential issues. A Student attends the course because they want to learn to ride, and the RiderCoach should be the precise person who can help in the process. Steven Covey (2013) recommends that we “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Introductions begin a course, to develop the professional relationship as a cornerstone of mutual-agreement that both the RiderCoach and the Student are essential to each other as they work toward the same end. A professional coach should under no circumstance disparage a Student. Acceptance of the Student will be given without ridicule to encourage learning, regardless whether the Student is quick to grasp the content or finds it difficult, further making them apprehensive. Criticizing a Student is akin to yelling at a patient who is not healing, it has no purpose or value. Acceptance is somewhat unconditional.
Personal Appearance
Physical appearance has a great deal to do with the professional image of a RiderCoach to Students and potential Students. Presenting oneself as a “pro” includes an appropriate dress for riding, neat grooming, and general cleanliness, to include one’s breath. This standard should be met not only during class, but anytime we represent the profession in public. Turn off’s can change the learning environment and includes personal habits that may be offensive to others like tobacco use, excessive public use of alcohol or the telltale signs of the residual effects of alcohol at class time.
Demeanor
Attitude is everything, to a RiderCoach contributing to a positive learning environment, a confident manner supports the primary goals of the course. RiderCoaches should try to avoid strange erratic movements, distracting habits of speech or drastic mood swings in the presence of Students. Although somber is probably not a good look, a professional demeanor is calm, disciplined, and thoughtful when communicating with Students. Coaches should avoid reacting differently to similar situations, criticizing Students unfairly, being rude, thoughtless or inattentive to Student needs. Purposeful instruction can best be fostered by a pleasant and positive demeanor as suggested by Fitch and Van Brunt (2016) to put the Student at ease, maintain genuine interest and project a professional image.
Safety Practices and Incident Prevention
A pillar of most rider education curriculums, safety is key and vital to the overall concept of what RiderCoaches do by displaying outcome value. Riding habits of coaches during the course and in public have a critical effect on how others observe the profession regarding safety. RiderCoaches are considered a paragon of proficiency, modeling their riding habits which in turn will be imitated by Students. The advocacy and description of sound riding practices mean very little if the coach is observed or appears to be violating the very same. For this reason, meticulous observation of safety principles is essential; a decent example is the use of sequenced actions to turn on or shut off the motorcycle. A Student that develops the use of “checklists” is more apt to continue their use, even after departing the course. Furthermore, a RiderCoach who can anticipate on range incidents before they happen, and employ timely tips to correct a possible safety issue are acting in a safe, responsible manner. Habitual observance of range rules and safe riding make the coach’s image more professional and more effective in influencing Students.
Proper Language
Just like most other professional activities, the use of profanity or obscene language can lead to hostile environments, lack of confidence, or distrust within the class. In many peoples mind, cursing is an objectionable lower form of communication creating an atmosphere that does not support distinct learning or understanding. To that end, a responsible professional must speak ordinarily without inhibitions, relating to others in a confident and descriptive vernacular without the need to use obscenity. A beginning rider can be easily confused by riding jargon, so it is essential to use words that are consistent throughout their reading material, activities, and range cards to ensure understanding develops and associations can form between words and actions. It may help to define new concepts at the beginning of blocks of instruction to highlight essential terms as necessary. During training, RiderCoaches should stick to those same terms and definitions to maintain understanding and further communications.
Self Improvement
Professional RiderCoaches must never become complacent or satisfied with their current level of qualifications and abilities. Professionalism stems from continuous growth and activity that improves one’s knowledge, effectiveness, and service to the Students and organizations that they belong to. Since RiderCoaches are considered significant authorities on motorcycle matters, and experts to the many Students that refer questions to, they have a responsibility to themselves and the profession to share procedures and techniques to improve not only their Students but their peers in the trade as well. I once heard tell it is important to be a lifelong-learner, seems like a good concept to me!
Until next time, Ride and coach like lives depend upon it!
Reference
Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
Fitch, P. & Van Brunt, B. (2016). A guide to leadership and management in higher education: Managing across the generations. Devon, United Kingdom: Routledge.
