Helping learners see their strengths

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“An obstacle can be an opportunity to grow,” says Jodi Rafkin, longtime Student Success Coach with InsideTrack. Reflecting back on why she is inspired by the learners she coaches, she says, “Being part of their growth as they figure out how to navigate obstacles that come up along the way as they work toward achieving their goals is just extraordinary.” Jodi’s superpower is holding space for learners to see their strengths and think about themselves differently. “When they realize that an obstacle doesn’t mean that ‘I can’t do this,’ it keeps me connected to the sense of possibility.”

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Jodi remembers a freshman who was just starting college and was already stressed about taking chemistry, telling her, “I wasn’t good in chemistry in high school and I don’t know how I’m going to pass this.” Jodi responded authentically, employing her time-tested knowledge of fixed and growth mindsets. “I suggested that he wasn't good at chemistry yet,” she said. They met every two weeks and created a study plan for each week, including preparation for his quizzes, his midterm and his final. During their last meeting of the semester, the student shared that he got an A on his final and was getting an A in the class. 

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After that announcement, he was ready to move on to his next challenge. Jodi interrupted, saying, “Whoa, put the brakes on, please. We need to do a little bit of celebrating before you start telling me what you're worried about for next semester.” She paused and said, “Wow, congratulations. What does this tell you about yourself?” And he sat there for a minute before responding, “it tells me that when I put my mind to something, I can do it — even if I haven't done it well before.”

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Jodi holds the InsideTrack coaching methodology in high regard, noting that it has been proven to have a significant impact on student success. With hundreds (if not thousands) of one-on-one interactions with students, she sees this holistic coaching methodology as the foundation for her work with learners. But that’s just part of the equation. 

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She explains that there’s an art to coaching that requires each coach to bring their whole self, to be authentic and to show up for every learner. “That looks different for each of us,” she says. 

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Jodi recognizes that her life experience has been different from many of the learners she coaches. “My goal is to make them feel safe and seen. It is important to approach all learners with empathy, respect and curiosity, honoring what their journey has been. When we start together, I want them to feel supported in their goals without judgment.”

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“I love that InsideTrack gives us space to show up as we are, to find our unique voice as a coach and to always continue growing. I get to show up every day being my best self, meeting my learners where they are — staying present and in touch with how coaching can empower other people.” 

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Jodi also feels gratitude for InsideTrack’s team culture, one that supports the growth of coaches. “It’s important not only to share your wins but also to bring challenges and brainstorm with other people who are doing the same thing you are. It adds richness and depth and an ability to take your coaching to the next level, plus it makes my work so much more pleasurable and supports me to be the best coach I can be.” 

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Speaking of team culture, Jodi says that over the years, she has developed her priorities to contribute to team culture. “I am generally known for focusing on and loving change management. I support the team in doing that well. I also enjoy being the person on the team to recognize birthdays, work anniversaries and the amazing things that my colleagues and teammates do. It's really fun to be able to celebrate and contribute to a culture of everybody being seen and appreciated.”

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“I wish people knew that doing coaching well is not easy. Sometimes people think, oh, you just pick up a phone or get on a Zoom and you just talk to people. But the skills that good coaches bring to each interaction — that presence, that showing up, that being in the moment, that really seeing and hearing people — is not easy work. Those of us who continue to do it do so because we love the impact and the outcome that it brings. It's not easy work. But it's incredibly rewarding work.”

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Jodi remembers her first aha coaching moment, when she realized she didn't have to fix all the problems her learner was having. “I realized that I needed to let that go and it was okay for me not to have all the answers. When I saw it mirrored in the more experienced coaches, my managers and the people who were observing my calls, that’s when I really started to understand what coaching is all about.”

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And according to Jodi, coaching is nothing short of magic. “Coaching brings the head and the heart together. It's marrying them and being able to access both of them. When you authentically show up with your learner, that's the magic.”