Thursday, October 14, 2010

Group Coaching: What's Your Focus?

Coaches often ask What Type of Group Coaching programs can I offer? It's great to see that group coaching continues to expand in how it is being offered (in person, phone, web and some skype). Expansion also continues with the core themes or topics coaches are coaching around. As I look at the coaches who have participated in the Group Coaching Essentials program this year, there has been tremendous diversity of client groups that they work with.

Here's a sample of some of the focus areas coaches have been identifying for group coaching:
- work-life balance issues,
- new entrepreneurs,
- new managers in the onboarding process,
- professionals at different stages of career transition,
- group coaching for new dads, new moms, college students, financial professionals, nursing and health care professionals, retirees...
The list does go on and on.

In identifying your group coaching area, or possibilities, consider the following questions:
  • Who would I like to be offering this program to?
  • What topics/themes/questions are really important for them?
  • The biggest question they want answered is?
  • The resources they are looking for are?
  • The type of support they want is....
  • What do I know aout the needs of this group already?
  • How can I find out more?
  • What other programs exist to support them (group coaching, individual coaching, other training programs etc)?
  • Who else is doing work in this area? How is what I want to offer similiar? Different?
  • To move my ideas into action this week, I will....

I hope that these questions will provoke some of your thoughts.

What are you going to focus on?

Have a terrific week!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching
Group Coaching Essentials - accredited for 6.75 CCEs by the ICF. New start dates November 2nd, 16th and 30th.


PS - I am looking forward to connecting with many of you on Friday at 9 am ET at the Global Coach Conference where I will be speaking about 5 Keys to Successful Virtual Programs. See you there!

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

The Accordion approach to Program Design


I often speak about the Accordion approach to Design which can be really useful to consider pre-program whether you are running a retreat, group coaching session or workshop. Many facilitators find that a common challenge is just not having enough time to "squeeze it all in". For year's I've been advocating the KEEP IT SIMPLE and LESS IS MORE principles for Coaches who join me for the Group Coaching Essentials program. Sometimes thinking about it is just not enough, because after all, we often don't know what will transpire until we are in front of a group.


When looking at your next program design, why not apply the accordion approach. Very simply, ask yourself:


1. What exercises/content/questions can I elongate - accordion out - if I need to?

2. What exercises/content/questions can I shorten - accordion in - if I need to?



It's always good to spend a short time pre-program considering the pinch points and what you absolutely want to make sure the group covers.


Hope that you find this useful with your next program! For more info on it, you can check out what I have to say in Effective Group Coaching



Warm regards,

Jennifer


Jennifer Britton

Group Coaching Essentials.com

Phone: (416)996-8326

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com


PS - We had a great start to theOctober Group Coaching Essentials program last night. Coaches who are still needing to acquire some CEUs for December recert may be interested in our 3 programs which will be offered in November. 6.75 CCES from the ICF (including 4.25 CCEs for Core Competencies). 4 Spaces remain for the Nov 2nd start (Tuesdays 9-10:15 am ET). A new program start date has been added for November 16th (Tuesdays 2-3:15 pm ET). Hope that you will join me!