Four Nuggets from the Group and Team Coaching Intensive

I held the Group and Team Coaching Intensive here in beautiful Muskoka late last week on Thursday and Friday. The Forth Annual Muskoka Intensive was two days full of conversation, learning and lots of practice with group and team coaching!

I wanted to share with you four quick nuggets from the program which I think you will find useful in your own work:

#1: Building our toolkit is essential - Powerful questions, resources and activities form the foundation of a rich program. Building our toolkit with coaching resources and approaches, as well as resources from related fields such as training, facilitation and even OD, helps to create even more masterful programs for the teams and groups we work with. Just as in the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar, I opened up my toolkit for others to explore and consider how the resources could be adapted for their own work. You will also want to check out past posts from the blog on group and team coaching activities.

Exercise: Spend 15 minutes this week taking stock of what tools you have, or reviewing a resource you have not looked at in while.

#2: Engagement is key to the learning process. When working with teams and groups you will have a variety of learning styles at play, requiring a variety of approaches to coach from.

Questions to consider: As you consider your next event, what pace will work best? What does engagement mean for this group or team? What could it look like?

#3: Incorporate what we know about neuroscience to make a more robust program.   My undergraduate work more than 25 years ago was in the field of psychology at McGill, which at the time
was a leader in neuropysch. In those days, as a third year student I took a year long course on learning and the brain, which has shaped a large part of the work I have done over the years. It's interesting to come full circle and see how what was being discovered in those days has laid the foundation for even more robust links between learning and how our brains do work. All  of my future programs will include an even tighter link between group and team coaching and neuroscience.

Exercise: The latency and recency posit that we remember the start and end of things. We place a lot of emphais at the start of programming, but not so much at the end. What can you incorporate or do at the end of calls or programs to reinforce learning?

#4: In the world of group and team coaching it is all about quality not quantity. It's all about the conversation  and providing people with a rich place for exploration, dialogue, discovery and awareness. 

Questions to consider:  What is an optimum size for you? What can you do to create connection in your groups and teams?

If you missed last week's Group and Team Coaching Intensive, I hope that you will consider joining me on November 1-2 in Toronto for our next one. The program is approved for 15 CCEs, and early early bird pricing will start soon for the November session.


Have a great weekend,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
GroupCoachingEssentials.com
(416)996-8326
Join us for an upcoming program - the Mentor Coaching Group starts tomorrow - Monday July 14 at 11 am ET/New York by phone, and the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar starts Thursday July 17 at 10 am Eastern/New  York (July 17, 24, 31, August 7 and 21 - 6.75 CCEs)

Also....
Next month on August 14-15 I will be hosting the Facilitation Skills Intensive, where we cover the

foundations of masterful group facilitation, along with several dozen facilitation tools. More info about the  Facilitation Skills Intensive program here.

Team and Group Coaching: Four Approaches To Consider

Activities to consider in your next group coaching process

Activities form the shape of any group coaching experience. Conversation is not the only way people learn, and acquire insights. I continue to enjoy bringing in a variety of activities into any group coaching process including:

1. Visual Decks - I’ve written and have spoken on bringing in decks for a number of years. This spring we launched the ConversationSparker Cards™ and they have started to be used by facitiators and coaches around the world. You can learn more about them here. I also recorded a video earlier this year showcasing three other visual decks I have used over the years with groups and teams - JICT, the Coaching Game, and Visual Explorer

2. Journalling - Journalling can be a very powerful process for group members, whether it is our traditional paper based journal process, or a newer approach with online journalling. In my latest book, From One to Many: Best Practices for team and Group Coaching I spotlight the work of Journal Engine, which takes journalling into the online domain. For coaches who are working with groups who are more digitally inclined, a tool such as JournalEngine is has many advantages and extends the coaching conversation.

3. Experiential Processes - As someone who started out originally as an experiential educator more than 25 years ago, I continue to see great value in creating experiential processes for our group members to step into. For creative sparks to get the juices flowing about what this may look like, I will usually turn to sites such as Wilderdom.com (check out their Toolkit of Group games) and Business Balls.com (for corporate group and team programs)

4. Assessments can also be an invaluable tool in our coaching work, and in fact, utilization of an assessment such as the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team or the Team Diagnostic from Team Coaching International may point to the focus areas of our work.

There are a wide range of assessments you may wish to be certified or credentialed in, depending on your clients needs , including:

At the individual level:

* MBTI

* DiSC - select from the Everything DiSC series of tools (which I use (and am a provider for coaches who want to offer this to their clients) due to the robust nature of the reports and variety of customized assessments such as the DiSC Workplace, DiSC Management, Work of Leaders, DiSC Sales), the Extended DiSC or one of many other Disc

* EQ I 2.0 - for those interested in, and exploring, Emotional Intelligence

* The Leadership Circle

At the team level:

* Team Diagnostic from Team Coaching International

*The Five Behaviors of a Team from Everything DiSC (based on the work of Patrick Lencioni)
What assessments do your clients find useful in the work you do?

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
GroupCoachingEssentials.com - Join us for an upcoming program including the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (6.75 CCEs) starting July 17 or the Mentor Coaching Group - starting July 14
(416)996-8326
 

July Programs - Group Coaching Training and Mentor Coaching Group

Here we are already in July! A quick overview of our July program line-up for coaches looking for some professional deelopment. This month the following programs will start:

By Phone:
Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar - this five week program is geared to provide coaches with foundational or essential tools and ideas to design, market and implement your own group coaching work. The program is applicable for those who are planning virtual or in-person training, as well as public

or corporate groups. Topics include core skills for group coaching, activities and resources to bring in, best practices, logistics, core elements with design. Each week you receive weekly module notes (approx 15-20 pages), and have 1-1 laser calls (15 min) with me. Class size is generally 4-8 coaches to model the typcial group coaching size by phone.  The program is approved for 6.75 CCEs with the ICF.

The July session will be held on Thursdays from 10:15 - 11:30 am ET/New York on July 17, 24, 31, August 7 and 21.

A separate August session will be held on Wednesdays from 10 - 11:15 am ET on August 6, 13, 20, 27 and September 3.

Cost: $425 US or CDN plus HST. Click here for more information and to register.

Advanced Group Coaching Practicum - for experienced group coaches or those with interest in gaining more experience, the practicum is a six session program. We take a deeper dive around topics such as

tricky issues, engagement, learning styles, design and co-facilitation. Each week a different coach will lead the practicum element, taking us through a 25 minute group coaching conversation and receiving feedback. This program is approved for 8 CCEs with the ICF.
July session will be held on Thursdays from 12 - 1:15 pm ET/New York on July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 21 and 28
Another group will start in Mid-September or October - stay tuned for dates

Cost: $450  US or CDN plus HST . Click here for more information and register.

You can also bundle these two programs together and save $50 off your registration.

Mentor Coaching Group (for ACC Renewal and ACC/PCC Portfolio Routes):
This is a 10 hour mentor coaching group which fulfills the 10 hour mentor coaching requirement with the ICF. 7 hours are held in a small group setting (typcially 3-6 coaches per group) by phone and three hours are held individually with you over the three month program. We take a look at the eleven competencies of the

ICF, and also provide you with the opportunity to coach and receive feedback on your skills.
The July program will be held on Mondays from 11 - 12 noon Eastern/New York: with Group calls on July 14, 28, August 11, 18, Sept 8, 22,  Oct 6

An August program will start on Thursdays from 9-10 am Eastern with group calls onAugust 7, 21, Sept  11, 26, October 2, 16, November 6

Cost: $1000 for the 10 hour program. Payable in one or three monthly installments

Click here for more information and to register. 

In person training:
Group and Team Coaching Intensive - 15 CCEs (including 13 hours of core competencies)
I'll be hosting the 4th Annual Group and Team Coaching Intensive in beautiful Huntsville, Muskoka on Thursday and Friday July 10-11. This program provides you with two days of learning and practice with group and team coaching approaches. We cover the foundations of team and group coaching, design, activities, approaches, stretch
points, resources and activities, positioning and marketing, virtual programming along with many more topics. It will be of interest to coaches who want an intensive in-person learning experience. We will follow up with a group call one month after the event.

For more info please visit GroupCoachingIntensive.com for photos from past programs, and more details about the content.

Four spaces are still open. Regular pricing $1095 CDN plus HST. Save $300 each when you register with a colleague.

Questions? Please reach out by phone or email to send me your questions.

Best,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
(416)996-8326

PS - Some of you receive all our blog posts through a Feedblitz subscription which you signed up for, and have done so for up to the last 8 years. As we move into July this is a good opportunity to decide whether you enjoy receiving this subscription or if you would like to opt out. You can opt out at any time through your Feedblitz subscription.

Audio - Ten Ways to use the Conversation Sparker Cards (TM)

Many of you have read, or heard me speak, about the power of visuals in a group or team coaching process. For years I have used the Visual Explorer deck from Center for Creative Leadership in my programs, and earlier this year I launched the Conversation Sparker Cards(TM), a 72 card photo and question deck.

The Conversation Sparker Cards have taken root with many practitioners across both coasts of North America, and as far away as Iceland and Africa.  Last week a number of coaches had fun with them at the ICF Mid-West Regional Conference during a table-top discussion I facilitated on group and team coaching.

Earlier this week I hosted a call on Ten Ways To Use the Conversation Sparker Cards which you can listen to online here. I thought you would be interested in listening in particularly if you are looking for a new photo deck to use with your groups, or if you want to get some new ideas "sparked" for use with your current photo deck. The recording is 27 minutes in length.

Enjoy! Again, you can link to the Conversation Sparker Cards recording here.

With best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Potentials Realized
(416)996-8326
Two weeks to go to the Group and Team Coaching Intensive in Beautiful Huntsville, Muskoka! Are you ready to take a two-day dive into group and team coaching issues?  We'll be looking at skills, design, marketing, forming groups, activities, tricky issues, and you will have lots of time to practice and get feedback on  your skills. The program is approved for 15 CCEs with the ICF. More info at http://www.groupcoachingintensive.com. 

Four Ways to Use a MindMap in Your Group Programs

MindMaps are a terrific tool for learning, brainstorming, and review. In this short audio post, I share four

ways you can use MindMaps in your group programs.

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Which approaches would you want to bring into your next program?

Best
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
(416)996-8326

Join us for an upcoming program - the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar starting July 17th (Thursdays at 10am ET)- 6.75 CCEs. You can also join me in beautiful Huntsville, Muskoka on July 10-11 (Thurs/Friday) for the Group and Team Coaching Intensive (15 CCEs)

Group and Team Coaching Intensive - Muskoka: July 10-11, 2014 (15 CCEs)

Plans are gearing up for the 4th Annual Group and Team Coaching Intensive in Muskoka, Canada

(Huntsville) on Thursday July 10 and Friday July 11th.  It's a two day dive into topics related to team and group coaching, in the beautiful, fun and relaxed setting of Huntsville, a great smmer playground.

This program is geared for coaches and other professionals who are wanting to expand their work to group and team coaching. The program is approved for 15 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCES) with the International Coach Federation.

The program provides coaches with knowledge, skills, practice, and feedback, on their group and team coaching skills. New and experienced coaches can benefit from this program. The course will address specifics for running programs in person and virtually, with teams as well as corporate and public groups.  

Participants leave the program with tools, resources, skills and practice in group and team coaching, including:

-       An understanding of what group and team coaching is, similarities and differences with individual coaching, training and facilitation

-       Core skills and competencies for masterful team and group coaching

-       Foundational principles: group and team dynamics, experiential processes, and learning styles,

-       Designing  and Structuring a Powerful Program (pre, post, during)

-       Creating Connection, Trust and Accountability

-       Exercises, Tools and Resources for Coaching Many

-     Working with, and engaging, different learning styes

-       Marketing Tips for pricing, promotion, positioning and contracting

-       Navigating Tricky Issues

-       Virtual Program Tips

-       Practice and feedback on your skills

Content is also customized based on those coaches who are participating. Pre-calls will be held with each participant during June 2014.

The program includes:

• 15 hours of training ( 15 CCEs  including of 13 hrs Core Competencies)
• An Intensive Manual with exercises, content and resources lists
• An opportunity for you to get hands-on practice and feedback on your coaching skills
• A copy of either one of Jennifer’s books - http://goo.gl/pbldIi
• A light lunch both days
• A post-program group call

Hours: Thursday 8:30-5pm, Friday 8:30 - 4:30pm . I'll also be available to connect for a late afternoon snack for those interested in Huntsville on Thursday.

Venue: Holiday Inn Express Huntsville. Special room rate until June 20th.

Space limited to 8 -10 coaches.

Cost: $1095 plus HST (payable in one or two installments) Register with one or more colleagues and save 10% each.

Here's what past participants have said about the program:

"A must for coaches who want to bring their coaching skills to another level!" – Mylene Beauchamp

"A time for you to focus on group coaching and building your business. A rare treat and strategic business move to participate in person with other great coaches and Jennifer’s excellent facilitation."

"A fantastic incubator for group coaching" 

Download a brochure here.

Here's a quick video about what  Muskoka  has to offer.

A special room rate is available at the venue until June 20th. Contact me for more information.

Looking forward to having you join us!

Best

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)

GroupCoachingEssentials.com

(416)996-8326

Audio Post - Group and Team Process Considerations

Last week I had the pleasure of presenting two breakouts at the Capital Coaches Conference in

Washington DC. What a fantastic day! It was terrific to get to speak to, and facilitate dialogue amongst a large group of participants. For those who attended, I forwarded the slide deck to the conference organizers so that you can receive your own copy.

I wanted to share with all of you, whether you were at the conference or not, a reminder of the process groups and teams move through. In this short audio post, I briefly share some of my reflections on the day, and also discuss the stages of group formation. Consider how this is showing up in your work, and what you, as a coach, can do to support those that you work with.

Here's the short 6 minute audio:

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Enjoy!

With best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
(416)996-8326

Join us for an upcoming program - the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar starting June 11th (at 9am ET Wednesdays) or July 17th (Thursdays at 10am ET)- 6.75 CCEs. You can also join me in beautiful Huntsville, Muskoka on July 10-11 (Thurs/Friday) for the Group and Team Coaching Intensive (15 CCEs)