Great Summer Projects for Coaches

What are your plans this summer? Last summer I did a quick audio on some great summer projects for coaches. You can listen into it here.


What do you want to put some attention around this summer? Here are a few ideas for what you might want to incorporate into these slower days of summer. You might want to:
1. Create or update one of your products
2. Consider how a program you offer could be licensed
3. Spend some time coming up with a list
4. Spend time every day (15-20 min) writing for that book you have always wanted to do (yes, over time the pages do add up!)
5. Draft out/queue up some blog posts/articles for your target audience
6. Research some new venues or bridgelines to support your fall programs
7. Read those books that have been piling up on your nightstand, or in your e-reader!
8. Get into a routine that supports you personally and professionally -
9. Identify (and take action on) some marketing opportunities for the fall (i.e. new networking opportunities, speaking opportunities, etc).
10. Take stock of all of the resources, coaching tools and activities you have at your disposal

What activities will (re)fuel you this summer?

Have a great start to your week!

Best regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Join me for an upcoming program: Group Coaching Intensive (15 CCEs, July 12 - 13, Huntsville, Muskoka, CANADA), Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (6.75 CCEs, Tues/Thurs 12 - 1:15 pm ET starting July 10), Mentor Coaching Group for ACC Renewals or ACC/PCC Portfolio (Tues 10:30 - 11:30 am ET starting July 10)

Thanks for joining me at the Mid-West ICF conference

I wanted to say a quick thanks to all who joined me on Friday at the ICF Mid-west Regional Conference in Chicago. We had standing room only for my session on Group Coaching - Connection and Collaboration. I will be typing up the collaborative responses to the burning questions and will get them back to the ICF Midwest team in the next few days. I will also be in touch with the digital chapter in the next day or two. Please check out all the blog has to offer and let's keep the conversation flowing on Facebook or Twitter.

What action are you going to take this week to put into place your learning from the conference?

Have a great week!

Best regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Join me for an upcoming program - Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (6.75 CCEs, Tues/Thurs 12-1:15 pm ET: starting July 10) Group Coaching Intensive (15 CCEs, July 12 - 13)

Group Coaching a - z: M is for MindMapping

If you are on Facebook, I'd encourage you to click on over to the Effective Group Coaching Facebook page right now to check out the A-Z of Group Coaching I have been posting about recently. Today's letter is M - all about MindMapping!

MindMapping is one of my favorite tools in group coaching work on a couple of levels:
1. It's a great tool for brainstorming and design work of programs
2. It's a great tool for the people we coach. It can support getting unstuck, opening things up, new perspectives and new insights.

There are so many different options today for creating MindMaps whether you go with a computer based tool like MindJet, Tony Buzan's imindmap.com, or you use the more traditional pen and paper.


How could MindMaps support the work that you are doing right now?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Upcoming programs include the Group Coaching Intensive (Muskoka, July 12-13, 15 CCEs) and the Group Coaching Essentials July Accelerated Program (Tues/Thurs 10:30 - 11:45 am ET: July 10, 17, 19, 24, 26: 6.75 CCEs) and the Mentor Coaching Group (for ACC Renewals, ACC/PCC Portfolio Routes)

Mentor Coaching Group - Starts Friday at 1 pm Eastern/NY

A quick reminder that the next Mentor Coaching Group will be starting this Friday from 1 - 2 pm Eastern by phone. Geared for coaches who want to sharpen their skills, need to complete their mentor coaching requirements for their ACC renewal or ACC/PCC portfolio route. This is a 10 hour mentor coaching program held over 3 months, with 7 hours as small group mentor coaching, and 3 hours as individual coaching. Space is limited to 4 coaches. The program runs whether we have one, two or four coaches.

The June-September program will be held on Fridays from 1 - 2pm Eastern/NY with group calls scheduled for June 15, 29, July 20, 27, August 10, 17, September 14th. Three hours of individual coaching calls will be scheduled at a time convenient for you (one hour monthly).

In addition to the 10 hours of programming, each participant will also have module notes accompanying each group call, resource lists as well as assignments designed to deepen your skills. During our group calls we will look at the 11 core coaching competencies, techniques, and each coach will have at least one (or more) opportunity to coach others and receive written and verbal feedback on their skills demonstrated. Total program cost: $1000 US or CDN, payable in one, two or three installments.

If you can't make June's start, other Mentor Coaching Groups will start on
Tuesday July 10 (Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 am ET): July 10, 17, 24, August 7, 21, September 11, 25 OR
Friday August 12 (Fridays 12 - 1 pm Eastern): August 10, 17, 24, Sept 14, 21, Oct 12, Nov 9

Click here for more info and to register.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Group Coaching Essentials
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Phone: (416)996-8326 (TEAM)

Group Coaching A - Z - A through E

Group Coaching A - Z 

Copyright 2012 - Jennifer Britton. All Rights Reserved.

Over the last week I've been posting on our Facebook page about the A through Z's of Group Coaching. For those who aren't on FB, here are the A through E of Group Coaching -

A is for action, accountability and awareness. What do you do as a coach to support these three?

B is for "Bottom line". Sharing the skill of bottom lining will help with the flow of a group coaching session and ensure that there is equal/equitable air time for each member.


C is for Commitment. What is the ONE thing each group member is committed to doing/being before the next coaching conversation? Leave time at the end of each session to declare it and the start of the next one to check in on this.

D is for Dance. Being open to whatever themes/focus areas show up in your group and being present to coach in the moment is a key part of the group coaching process. Unlike the structure of a training program, get ready to dance to meet the needs of group coaching clients/coachees.

E is for Evaluate. Getting feedback and redesigning with your groups is a critical part of the group coaching process. Take the pulse of the group at the end of the first session by asking - What worked well? What are you taking away? What should we do differently next time?
 
Stand by for more next week!

Have a wonderful weekend
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Check out some of our favorite Group Coaching Quotes on Pinterest
Host of the Mentor Coaching Group for ACC Renewals and ACC/PCC Portfolio Routes (Starts June 15, July and August 12) and the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (6.75 CCEs)
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

Closing off a Group Coaching Process

Closure is an often overlooked element of any group program. We often spend a lot of time focusing at the start, and may pay little attention to the end. What do you want to incorporate into the closing of your next group program? Here are some things to consider:

1. Consider the tone you want to set

2. Do a walk through (as a group) of some of the highlights of the experience. Have individual group members share their insights.

3. Spend time sharing key goals achieved over the course of the program.

4. Leave time for group members to share:

1. What their next step (s) is.
2. Who they are going to be accountable to.
3. What might get in the way.
4. What will support them in achieving success.

5. Bring in a closure activity like using Visual Explorer and having participants choose a picture which represents their vision or next steps. OR if you are in person and are able to use the natural surroundings, have people take a silent walk and bring back an item which represents who they are/their vision (i.e. a feather which might represent ability to see the big picture, or flexibility).

For many of my in-person programs, I arrange with the group a time for a group follow up call 2-4 weeks after the end of our process. It's a great chance to keep the momentum going, and also check in around these topics outlined above. I often hear thanks for arranging this as it resurfaces people's commitments and ups the bar on accountability.

What closure activity do you want to bring into your next group work?

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Host of the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar program (6.75 CCEs, Wednesdays 7-8:15 pm ET, and other starts on July 10) and the Mentor Coaching Group
Phone: (416)996-TEAM (8326)

Five Great Books for Coaches to Add to their Bookshelf/Reader

I often get asked about some of my favorite coaching books during the Group Coaching Essentials and Mentor Coaching Group programs. Here are five books I like, and continue to refer back to, in my own work:


1. Facilitative Coaching - Dale Schwartz and Anne Davidson. I really like the practicality of the exercises, tools and templates included in this book. Geared for more of the individual coaching conversation, many of these activities/resources can be adapted for team and group coaching. The book also includes a CD with the resources on it.


2. Coactive Coaching - Whitworth et al. Not only because I originally trained and certified through CTI years ago, I continue to find that the foundational principles of coaching are well spelled out. The appendix is also a terrific resource for new and seasoned coaches. It includes a wide array of powerful questions, inquiries and sample wheels (of life/business) you can use.

3. Appreciative Coaching - Binkert, Orem, Clancy. This book fuses appreciative inquiry and coaching. It's a wonderful resource, and I appreciated the questions and framework which can be brought into the individual coaching conversation.

4. Retreats that Work - Liteman et al. Many coaches also offer retreats for individuals, couples and teams. Retreats that Work is a fantastic resource, with exercises and designs galore. I have found myself referring back to it this spring several times as an inspiration source for retreats I have led.

5. The Coach U Essential Coaching Tools Book - This is a terrific resource for coaches looking for tools, worksheets and activities that they can incorporate into their work. Spanning everything from working with Tolerations to Resources for new Clients/Coachees, this is a great resource particularly for those starting their own practice/business.

What books would you recommend coaches add to their bookshelf or reader? As always, please feel free to comment below. You can also check out other suggestions I have in the online bookstore I created with Amazon. (Note this is an affiliate link).

Have a great week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Host of the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (6.75 CCEs, starting Wed May 23 at 7pm ET) and the Mentor Coaching Group (starting Friday June 1 at 1 pm ET)