convu for
participants
Our initial pilot (at Harvard in 2021) established that participants—as compared to a control group of waitlisted students—experienced:
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Less loneliness
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Less Imposter Syndrome
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Greater curiosity about another's point of view, even when disagreeing
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Greater thriving (as measured by the Brief Inventory of Thriving)
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Greater willingness to share challenges and difficulties
What’s it like to participate in a Peer Coaching Initiative?
Being listened to with CARE
Participants report that to be listened to with CARE (Curiosity, Attentiveness, Respect and Engagement) brings powerful benefits:
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I felt deeply validated–both seen and well-understood– and I needed that!
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I gave myself permission to address a topic that was bothering me
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I was able to hear myself think and work through a challenge
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I got fresh perspective but did not feel defensive
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I experience my “convus” as an oasis of listening (there is so little listening in the rest of my week!)
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I learned how to handle my situation in a way that I feel good about. I have way more buy-in and commitment than when someone just tells me what to do.
Listening in return (and developing your listening skills)
Participants report growing by leaps and bounds in their ability to listen… and finding these skills relevant in many domains:
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Rather than jump in prematurely with my ideas, I learned to create a space where my partner could breathe… and think better for themselves
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I learned a great deal about the art of turn-taking and how to build trust
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I am better able to stay curious and attentive, even when I disagree (a really useful skill for negotiation, which I have to do a lot)
Shift from a "Knower" to a "Learner" Mindset
Through both of these experiences–-the giving and the receiving of high-quality listening–-participants experience a shift in mindset: from knowing to learning, from fixing another person to partnering with them, from advocating and persuading to listening and inquiring, and from focusing on looking good and being right to instead focusing on how we are collaborating and learning with others.
What do participants say are key benefits?
1
growing as a person:
confidence and clarity
“Before Peer Coaching I would have been the person to go last in class. Now I offer to speak first.”
Master’s Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education
“I came into Peer Coaching to have hard conversations about the challenges of getting a PhD at Harvard. Peer Coaching opened up my understanding of potential avenues after graduate school.”
PhD Candidate, Harvard Medical School
“I became a better self-advocate.”
PhD Candidate, Harvard Medical School
“It gave a new perspective on problems I’d been grappling with. That was valuable.”
Master's Candidate, Harvard Business School
“My having been heard in the Peer Coaching relationship-- along with learning to participate more in classes--led to better learning.” - Master's Candidate, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
2
professional skills:
becoming a better listener
“In Peer Coaching I learned to listen. And listening helped me to get all the information.
I use that daily now.”
Medical Professional, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
“Coaching is valuable from a physician’s perspective when speaking to patients.” Physician, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
“I see a lot of applications for my future endeavors as a doctor.”
Master's Candidate, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
“I’m in a class on race and racism in health policy. We talk about really important issues. There, when I really listen I hear perspectives that surprise me: there are ways of thinking about an issue that hadn’t occurred to me before.”
Master's Candidate, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
3
courage and openness:
the willingness to connect
“Peer Coaching was a safe space of trust and confidence—it wasn’t just calling it a safe space: it really was a safe space.”
Master’s Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education
“I attended Harvard coming from a low-income, first-generation background and being a black woman. So having all these different kind of barriers, it was very important for me to find a home at Harvard. Being part of Peer Coaching allowed me to be real and human and to speak with other students. . . so I felt like ‘Wow, these are my people.’ ”
Master's Candidate, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
“Peer Coaching led to a shift in my sense of belonging. Just having my Peer Coach as one of my rocks throughout the semester gave me a sense of security or stability.”
Master's Candidate, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
What do you get
as a Participant?
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Have input on who you are matched with (through our confidential matching survey)... so that you get to work with someone you feel comfortable opening up to
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Learn by doing: the program is more like learning to ride a bike that getting a lecture about how to ride a bike
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Receive clear instructions on what to practice, and get lots of feedback in a safe and fun environment
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Meet weekly with your partner at a time and place of your choosing, and practice both in the role of coach and coachee
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Share your questions and insights with other participants, and get additional support from an instructor in a safe, fun, and confidential setting–approximately once a month
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Receive a “Coaching Skills Certificate of Practice”