'breaking up' with a coach

[drsamba]

Hey everyone,

Just curious what people thought was the most polite and tactful way to stop taking regular lessons from a particular coach. It's obviously a delicate situation when you decide you aren't obtaining what you need or don't like their teaching style, especially when you still like them as a person and don't want to tick anyone off. And let's face it, many coaches are hyper sensitive by nature (that's why they're great performers). So how do you move on to a new person - sometimes in the same studio! - while still being friendly with the previous coach? Thanks!

[latingal]

Welcome to DF drsamba!

Handling a break up with a teacher/instructor/coach/pro can be tough. Since there are so many different viewpoints and personalities that could be involved, instead of offering specifics I would just say approach with caution and be the good diplomat (especially in the situation of switching to another teacher within the same studio).

[elisedance]

Welcome drsamba!

Basically its a business relationship so in most cases you simply thank the coach for past lessons and tell them you are moving on. However, its rarely as simple as that either because, as in your case, its at the same studio and you have developed a personal relationship with him/her. Most important - make sure the coach is the first to know. You obviously do not want to discuss how to break up wiht him wiht anyone else in the studio first and have them find out indirectly.

I've done this only once. My strategy was to simply tell the truth and to do so prior to finding a replacement. I think all breakups have that in common - if you do it prospectively it goes much better because the breakee (if I may call the coach that) then has no reason to suspect someone else has moved in and it minimizes much of having fialed. Along those lines, don't talk about their deficiencies (saying you need someone more experienced in *** dance for example) but stress what you have achieved with them. I suspect that it will be a lot easier than you think - its very unlikely that you are the first to do this. Hopefully, the coach will be very professional about this and simply encourage your developement. Generally that is the case since they have to worry about the aftermath on recruiting new students if they throw a hissyfit :)

Good luck - tell us how it went....

[Easy]

How often does this coach come to your studio? Having coachings with various coaches is kind of a must. I wouldn't necessarily tell the coach you've achieved the goals you had with them as it implies you don't need them anymore...kind of a negative, and depending on your awareness of your own dancing you might not have really done so.

Sometimes we just need to try something new. Your teacher is your buddy...how do they feel about it? I would ask their advice on how best to do this. If you feel this is inappropriate, then make sure you have to practice what you've already been taught when they are in. It might be easier for all to ween them off of you. If you normally take 2, then just take 1. May I ask why you want to change or completely stop having coachings with them? It is natural to take coachings from different people, so if you can't think of any easier way, as Elise said, honesty would be the best policy. :)