More and more coaches these days are exploring how virtual group coaching programs, delivered by bridgelines or even video, can support their clients and match their own needs.
Facilitating, and coaching, in the virtual realm requires some different skills, as well as structures. What are some practical things you can make your group coaching by phone/web more effective? Here are five suggestions for making virtual group coaching more effective:
1. Consider what you really want to use the call time for. With virtual programs my preference is usually to use the time in dialogue, discussion and coaching. This often requires that group members undertake some prep before the call, as pre- or post work.
What do you want to use your call time for?
2. Spend time before the program building relationships with group members. Many of you know about my insistence on holding short pre-program calls prior to public programs I host. This is an opportunity for me to learn more about each group member, their needs, goals and also preferences.
What focus do you want to have pre-program on getting to know your group members?
3. Consider spending time building relationships between sessions with individual group members. Especially with public programs, when groups will disband after the program, members appreciate more touch points with me as coach. Many of my programs over the years have had a hybrid 1-1 and group mix to address this issue. People usually love the opportunity to meet with me 1-1, even if is for a shorter call, to explore their topics/issues more deeply.
4. What visual supports will the group benefit from? Technology is enabling us to incorporate visual media in many foms. What supports will the group members benefit from? A PDF workbook/worksheet? Slides which they can view as prompters? Streaming Video?
Consider what visual supports your groups can benefit from.
5. Consider and address what barriers may exist in group member's participation. Many barriers can exist to virtual program participation. From lack of familiarity with the technology, to low bandwidth issues, to lack of engagement.
Consider what barriers might exist for your group members.
As I 've also written in other posts, practice, practice, practice. Group Coaching is as much as art as a skill set. If we don't use it, we lose it!
What action will you take in the coming weeks to move your virtual programming forward?
Have a great week,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Group Coaching Essentials - our next CCE approved program starts this Friday October 28th at 10:30 am Eastern (6.75 ICF CCEs)
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
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