Group Coaching Pitfalls - and how to mitigate!

For many coaches starting to do this group work, a major question is what should I be aware of. Today's post is about things that can go wrong with the group coaching program. Prehaps:
· the room you have booked is not set up as you had hoped.
· Materials that you prepared cannot be printed, due to printer malfunction ink running out or printer malfunction.
· Participants get lost on way to venue.
· Bridgeline malfunctions.
· You acquire laryngitis.

In fact all of these issues, while we could look at it as something going wrong in fact, they can be great learning moments. The other good piece of news is that for many of these you can mitigate the risk (lessen the likelihood) by putting a few systems in place.

Room Set up and Arrival: A best practice for any in person program is to arrive at the room that you've booked at least half an hour OR More before the earliest participant may show up, so this may mean one hour to an hour and a half before participants are due to arrive.

Even with the most is explicit directions from. It is quite common that you arrive and the location is not set up as she would've liked. Do not fear find it who is in charge of the room area and work with them support you in getting the room and order.

Materials production: Always have a spare cartridge on hand or even a spare printer. If you are and sourcing this provides some breathing space. So that materials can be shipped to you in time.

Venue Directions: Another best practice or participants don't get lost on the way to the venue is to be explicit with directions. If you are hosting in a hotel or other public venue. Provide a URL link bracket ensure that this URL link works and of bracket. So that you are not responsible for the love of location.

Acquiring laryngitis: It can happen from time to time and has less of an impact on face to face programs, but tremendous impact for phone based programs. For phone based programs, you will want to have a backup -- either postphone or provide a recording. For Face to Face programs youmay use need to use a lot more nonverbal than before. It's a great opportunity for participants to take on leading roles (if it is a multigroup session). Provide the group with more questions and give them more time to work in small groups and present back their findings to the larger group.

Bridgeline Malfunctions: Always have a back up bridgeline AND a plan which is communicated to partcipants about what they should do if the bridgeline malfunctions (i.e. you will send out an email or will automatically switch to another line). For large group programs always do a test! The quality of your bridgeline says a lot about you, and your business.

What other tricky issues have you encountered? How did you deal with them? What questions do you have?

Have a great start to the week,
Jenn

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
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