Best Practices for Group Coaching

Best Practices for Group Coaching
Copyright 2007 - Jennifer Britton

I am often asked about what are some of the best practices in group coaching. In this and subsequent posts I will be covering a number of the best practices I have seen from my work and other leaders in the field.

Chances are that you are looking to expand your own group coaching programs, or launch your own. Why reinvent the wheel? I hope that the ideas included in this and other posts will support you in developing an even more powerful group coaching program of your own.

Best Practice #1 - Less Is More
If you have been following my blog, or have heard me speak, you'll know that I am passionate about the concept of less is more in any group program context. Often we are so eager to provide as much value as we can that we overload a program with information. Group coaching, like individual coaching, is all about holding the space for the client, enabling them to expand their perspectives and deepen their learning. By filling the space with information, we are moving from a group coaching context to one which is a workshop, or at the extreme, a lecture. To explore this concept, take out 20% of the content you currently offer (or plan to offer in a program) and set it aside for something else (prehaps a new program, a new information product etc).

To explore this best practice, ask yourself, "What would "less is more" look like in my program?". Write it down.

Best Practice #2 - Recognize that clients will learn and respond in different ways
I haven't blogged a lot about the topic of learning styles, but this is an area I am particularly interested in. Every individual learns in different ways --- some are visual, some auditory (learn by hearing) while others learn kinesthetically (by doing, or experientially). Research is showing that a vast majority of adults are primarily a visual learner.

To explore this best practice, ask yourself, "What type of learner am I?". For a fun assessment, you may want to check out Learnativity.com where Marcia Conner offers a couple of free assessments including a learning styles assessment and a motivation styles assessment.

Also as yourself, "How can I design my program to address the different learning styles". What can you do involving the visual channel, the auditory channel and the body?

Create some space this week to explore these two best practices for group coaching and how they can shape your own program. I'll be back next week with a few others!

Have a wonderful week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, CPCC, CHRP, CPT
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Toll Free: 1-866-217-1960

By popular demand, I will be offering the next Group Coaching Essentials program in the evenings! The March program will start on Monday March 12 from 8-9:15 pm (EST). We will meet on March 12, 19, 26 and April 2/07. The program is designed to support you in the development, implementation and marketing of your own group coaching program. We will also hold a fifth group call in May at a time convenient for the group, and you will receive a 70 page e-manual for the program. The program is limited to 8 coaches per session - calls can be recorded if you can't make one. The cost of the program is $225 US. To register contact Jennifer at jennifer@potentialsrealized.com or toll free at 1-866-217-1960. I look forward to having you join us!