Establishing Ground Rules and Ways of Working
Leaning on ICF's core competency category, "Co-Creating the Relationship," it's crucial for you, the coach, to consider how you will establish and maintain agreements and integrate this in the design of your group programs.
One of the ways to do this is through ground rules or Ways of Working (WOW). Similar to individual coaching, in group programs, both the Coach and the participants create this agreement, so it is mutually honoring the needs of both the group members and the Coach.
There are various names for agreements, including "Ground rules," Rules of Engagement, Rules of the road, or even Ways of Working.
Co-Creating Agreements and Expectations for the group coaching process is a critical step for success. As we illustrated in one of our recent Group Coaching DEMOS, you might use a whiteboard, chat or even verbally go round to hear from everyone about "what is going to make the conversation zone a positive space".
It is important to allocate time fair time in your first session to allow all group members (and you, the Coach) to establish what each person needs and, in turn, have a group consensus. Doing so will create:
- Group ownership, in turn, increases group engagement.
- A container of trust, safety, and connection, making participants open to exploring potentially sensitive topics and expressing their insights and challenges with the group over time.
- Group cohesion, allowing participants to learn and grow from one another
- Less tricky issues to navigate with difficult personalities in the group.
- Space for the group to get acquainted with individual needs for program success and fulfilling the forming stage of Tuckman's model of group dynamics.
Possible next steps:
- Review the ICF core competency category "Co-creating the Relationship" and identify action steps you can take to ensure your group programs align with ICF.
- Join an upcoming Group Coaching Essentials program to learn best practices for Establishing group agreements in design and delivery. Click here to see upcoming programs: https://www.groupcoachingessentials.ca/group-coaching-essentials.html
- Take a deeper dive into learning and practicing group and team coaching this summer at the 2 Day In Person Group and Team Coaching Intensive running July 27 and 28 in beautiful Bracebridge, Ontario. Join Jennifer in person for this return on an annual summer favorite. Early Bird rate on until end of June. Space is limited to 10.
Enjoy the conversations and we hope that you will join us this summer!
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Join us for an upcoming program including:
The Group and Team Coaching Intensive - 2 days of in-person training around group and team coaching with Jennifer Britton in beautiful Bracebridge, Ontario, CANADA. Space limited - 7 spots open. Early Bird rate on until end of June 2023.
Neuroscience, Learning and Experiential Processes for Group and Team Coaching - NEW - Join us Mondays at 130 pm ET starting June 6th - With Jennifer (6 weeks)
Group Coaching Essentials
- Our flagship program which started this all. Looking to boost your
understanding around what group coaching is and how to structure, market
and lead conversations? Join us in July starting July 14th (Fridays 1015 - 1130 am ET) - 5 weeks:
https://www.groupcoachingessentials.ca/group-coaching-essentials.html.
Coaching Diverse Teams and Groups using the Work Styles - Tuesdays 645 - 8 am ET: June 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, August 2 (14 CCEs) - Widen your toolkit for working with diverse styles in teams and groups in this 6 week program based on the Hybrid Work Styles. WE also explore Coaching for Creativity and Innovation. This is course 5 in the 70 hour Certificate in Team Coaching Program.
Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum - 10 CCEs - Tuesdays Starting June 20th (6 weeks)
Team Coaching Essentials (14 CCEs) - Starts Monday July 10th (Mondays 12 - 130pm ET). Being asked to coach teams OR Want to work towards your ACTC (Advanced Credential in Team Coaching)? Equip yourself with the foundations of this quickly evolving field. This program is grounded in our From One to Many methodology PLUS what works right now in today's evolving workspace.
ACTIVATE your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (14
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