Tuesday, October 27, 2009

CSTD/IFTDO Conference Wrap Up

I had a great time last week attending, and speaking at the IFTDO/CSTD Annual Conference. Thanks to all who turned out for my presentation on Group Coaching: A Method to Support Organizational Performance. There were about 80 coaches and learning professionals who attended the session I co-facilated with co-faciltiator, Maureen Clarke of the Blueprint Group. We had a lot of fun and hope that you did too.

It was wonderful reconnecting in person with colleagues from the learning profession across North America, while renewing my thirst for knowledge. Some of my favorite sessions were facilitiated by:

Christie Sterns of Training Makes Cents
Harold Stolovitch of who talked about research and performance improvement
Jane Bozarth who spoke on Instructional Design for the Real World
as well as some of the really innovative training via technology that is coming out of UHN from Heather Pollex and Anya Wood.

When was the last time you participated in some professional development? I look forward to meeting up with a number of you in December in Orlando for the 2009 ICF Conference. I will be presenting a session on Group Coaching: Essential Habits and Innovative Approaches on Saturday Decmeber 5th in the afternoon as part of the program. I hope that you will join me if you are attending!

Have a terrrific week - more to follow on tidbits and bytes gleaned last week.

Warmly
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPT
Group Coaching Essentials
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{com}

The date of the next, and last, Group Coaching Essentials program for 2009 has been shifted to start one week later on Monday November 9th at 12noon (ET). If you are wanting to create and launch your own group coacing work in the new year, now is a great ime to get started. Several spaces still remain in November's lunchtime session. Contact me for more details or click here. Session dates and times are: Mondays 12 - 1:15 pm (ET): Monday November 9, 16, 30, December 7 plus early January

Monday, October 12, 2009

7 Reasons to Co-Facilitate Group Coaching

Many coaches ask if co-facilitation is recommended when working with groups and teams. Throughout the years I have enjoyed great co-facilitation experiences, and for the most part today, whenever I undertake in-person work with large groups, co-facilitation is a must. Even with smaller groups, in more intensive interactions, such as team coaching, co-faciliation is my preference.

Here are seven reasons why co-facilitation makes great sense:

1. When working with larger groups, it makes it much easier to keep an eye on the group process;
2. The diverse styles many co-facilitators bring, allow for connections with different participants. Not everyone resonates, and connects, the same way with each facilitator;
3. Two heads are often better than one in terms of creativity and new idea generation;
4. Even if group process is running smoothly, it is useful for the "other facilitator" to keep an eye on logistical details (i.e. meals, materials, set up) if they are not leading an exercise;
5. It's easier to take note of outcomes and accountabilities, when you are not leading the discussion;
6. The energy created amongst co-facilitators can help you ride through the peaks and valleys of energy throughout the day;
7. It can be a lot more fun as you hopefully have created a partnership that you can lean into.

What are your reasons why you like to co-facilitate?

A bonus chapter of my book, Effective Group Coaching, is all about Co-facilitation and will be chock full of more tips and questions to consider when co-facilitating. Stay tuned for more details, and take note to circle back in January when the book is launched.

Have a great week and do check out earlier posts I've written about co-facilitation and what to consider.

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CPT
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Email info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com
Phone: (416) 996-TEAM (8326)

This month's Group Coaching Essentials program starts Tuesday October 13th at 7pm (Eastern). Join me and gain valuable tips, tools, resources and exercises for your own group coaching work. There are still 3 spaces available. The program is also accredited for 6.25 CCEs (Continuing Coach Education Units) by the ICF for those ACCs, PCCs, and MCCs needing to recertify (including 4.25 hours of Core Competencies). Give me a call at (416) 996-8326 if you are ready to add group coaching to your offerings and want to get started right away!