The imporatance of trust within the group coaching process

Establishing Trust and Intimacy with your clients is one of the ICF Core Coaching Competencies (Competency 3 under Co-Creating the Relationship). This coaching competency is defined by the ICF as:
"Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client - Ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust.

1. Shows genuine concern for the client's welfare and future,
2. Continuously demonstrates personal integrity, honesty and sincerity,
3. Establishes clear agreements and keeps promises,
4. Demonstrates respect for client's perceptions, learning style, personal being,
5. Provides ongoing support for and champions new behaviors and actions, including those involving risk taking and fear of failure,
6. Asks permission to coach client in sensitive, new areas."

International Coach Federation - Core Coaching Competencies

As a group coach, establishing trust is a critical component of the group coaching process. Just as we hold "intake" sessions or foundation sessions with individual clients, group coaches need to spend time co-creating the relationhip and establishing trust within their own groups, pre-program and throughout the intial group sessions.

Practical activities group coaches can use to Establish Trust and Intimacy are:
1. Hold pre-program 1-1 calls with individual participants prior to the program start. A short 15 minute call can help to start developing a bond with each participant/client and get to know them. Find out what brought them to the program, what they want to learn, what's unique about their own learning style preferences. This call can also provide an opportunity to answer any questions, and also check out that the program is going to be a good fit for them. This pre-program contact can be an important step in building rapport with each group member.

2. Leave time at the start of programs, particularly phone based programs for participants to introduce themselves and get to know each other. Knowing who is who is an important part of the group coaching process.

3. Discuss group expectations/develop ways of working - What are the groundrules for group participation? Behavior? What can people expect? Spend time discussing this as a group, including key ground rules such as confidentiality.

4. If pre-program 1-1s are not possible before your first meting, leave time and space to discuss expectations, hear from each participant about what they want out of the process and what's brought them there.

5. Walk your talk - follow through as you have promised. Circle back to check in on commitments. Check in with the group regularly throughout a session to see what's working and what changes may be needed.

Check out the ICF Core Competencies for a full listing of all 11 core coaching competencies.

In closing, consider the following for yourself:
Which competencies are you strongest at?
Which ones do you want to further develop?
What can you do in your own group coaching program to strengthen the competency of Establishing Trust and Intimacy?

Warmly
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Join me starting August 12th for a Mentor Coaching Group, an opportunity to expand on your core coaching competencies. The program also meets the mentor coaching requirements for ICF Credentialing. Space is limited to 4-6 coaches. Group calls meet Fridays 12 - 1 pm Eastern.