Team Coaching Resources

I've recently had a number of requests from coaches who are working with teams in organizations, who are eager for team coaching resources. As I wrote in a post a few weeks ago, team and group coaching are sisters. For those looking for team coaching resources you may wish to check out the following books:
1. David Clutterbuck's book - Coaching the Team at Work
2. Leadership Team Coaching: Developing Collective Transformational Leadership - Peter Hawkins (geared for leaders as coach)

I also continue to sing the praises of the work of Team Coaching International and the Team Diagnostic Assessment which I have used with numerous teams, all to great success, as well as the work of the Center for Right Relationship's ORSC (Organization and Relationships Systems Coaching) model - superb for working with couples, relationships and teams.

Are there any specific team coaching resources you would recommend to other coaches? Please feel free to comment and list it below.

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, CPCC, PCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Group Coaching Essentials (6.75 CCEs) - final teleclass of the year starts on December 1st - 3 spots still open. Tues/Thurs 7-8:15 pm ET: Dec 1, 6, 8, 13, 15

Group Coaching - Supports for the Coach

This year I have spoken with many different groups of coaches, at ICF conferences, SIGs and other coach gatherings. Recently I was asked, What supports can support coaches in doing their own group coaching work? Great question.

I've written a lot over the years about Systems which can be useful in your business (check out some of the business development posts using the right hand tab) when running group coaching. Today I wanted you to think about some of the roles/people which might be helpful in doing your best work possible.

Here are some of the roles/tasks which might help you to focus on getting your work done, or in doing the best work possible:

- Admin support for registrations, payments, communication
- Web - website/social media/payments
- Moderator to support you during the program if you are using more technology (i.e. webinar). Note the ethical issues which would arise if you bring a moderator in for group coaching work. Have they agreed to confidentiality? How will their presence impact the group coaching conversation? My preference is always to involve others as a full blown co-facilitator/co-leader, if I need to bring others in
- Editor/Graphic Designer - help with materials production/graphics etc
- Marketing - one of the areas coaches continue to find a challenge
- Accountant/Bookkeeper

So does this mean that you need to go out an hire all these people? Not necessarily. Think about where you already may bring strengths/skills in these areas. Some of the roles may also be nice to have versus need to have. Consider if you do need to outsource these or if you can cover off the bases yourself. Personally, many of you know my preference for keeping it in house by using your own strengths, without detracting from your time available to do great work with groups.

Have a terrific week!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, CPCC, PCC, CHRP
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
December Accelerated Group Coaching Essentials program starts December 1st (6.75 CCEs): December 1, 6, 8, 13 and 15 (Tues/Thurs 7-815 pm ET). Acquire skills and tools to design, market and implement your own group coaching work next year.
Join me Friday December 2 and 9 for the 2012 Business Planning Virtual Retreat (1-4 pm ET both afternoons)
Next Mentor Coaching Group (ACC/PCC) starts January 6th (Fridays 12 - 1 pm Eastern). Max 4 coaches.

CSTD A Trainers Essential Coaching Toolkit Follow up

Thanks to all CSTD Conference participants who joined me for yesterday's session "A Trainers Essential Coaching Toolkit". The slides from the presentation should be available to you through the CSTD Conference Website - you'll notice a small change in order, but not content. If you would like another copy, please feel free to reach out to me.

I hope that when you get back to the office you make note of the one action step you had committed to with your coaching partner.

I had promised to post the quiz results - here they are:

1. T
2. T
3. F
4. F
5. T
6. F
7. T
8. T
9. T
10. T
11. T
12 F
13. T
14. T
15. T

I'll be hosting my 8th Annual Year End Group Programs call on Friday December 2nd from 12 - 12:30 pm Eastern. Please feel free to join me for this call at 1-218-862-1300, access 503003. There is no cost to participate other than your own long distance charges.

For many more tips, tools and ideas around group coaching, please check out this blog, as well as our Facebook, YouTube and other social media sites (listed below). You may also want to check out the Twitter feed from @dscohen64 who captured some of the key points of the presentation. Thanks!

If you have any questions about coaching skills training please follow this link. You'll find some case studies of coaching skills training design and delivery work I've done with UNICEF and the Cooperators National Training Team here in Canada. It may give you some ideas of possible starting points for coaching skills training within your organization/team.

Please feel free to email or call me with any questions you may have, or coaching resources you are looking for.

I look forward to keeping in touch!

Warm regards
Jennifer Britton

Potentials Realized | GroupCoachingEssentials.com
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
2012 Group Coaching Intensive Training Programs (Toronto and Muskoka)

Connect with Us:
Facebook - EffectiveGroupCoaching page
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/jennbritton
YouTube - Effective Group Coaching Tips
Phone: 416.996.8326
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

Last call - Group Coaching Essentials starts Nov 15th at 10:30 am ET

A quick reminder of our two final Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar programs (approved for 6.75 CCEs with the ICF), which start November 15th and December 1st.

Looking to add group coaching to your mix and want road-tested tips and tools for in person or phone based group coaching programs, with public or corporate groups?

The Group Coaching Essentials program covers:

* The Foundation of Group Coaching – What is Group Coaching, How does Group Coaching Differ from Training and Workshops, Best Practices of Group Coaching, and Adult Learning Principles

* The Nuts and Bolts of Developing Group Coaching – Making Your Program Development Fun and Effective: Technical issues, Techniques and Templates for Developing and Running Your Program

* Marketing Group Coaching – Knowing Your Clients, General Marketing Principles, Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot

* Filling Up Your Toolbox – Exercises and Other Resources for Group Coaching (for Virtual, in person, public and corporate programs

* The 8 Habits of Highly Effective Group Coaches

We will cover the nuts and bolts of group coaching, and provide you with tools, templates and resources to support you with your own program design, marketing and implementation. Weekly assignments are structured so that you will leave the program having taken steps with your own program design.

Upcoming Program Dates include:

Tuesdays 10:30 – 11:45 am Eastern: November 15, 22, 29, December 13 and 20, 2011 - 3 spots open

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8:15 pm Eastern: December 1, 6, 8, 13 and 15, 2011 - 5 spots open

More information about the program and a registration link can be found at our site.

The cost of the program is $375 USD (or $375 Canadian including HST), and includes:

* 5 x 75 minute teleseminar calls

* An 80 page Manual (delivered by email in weekly modules)

* Pre and Post-course one-on-one meetings with me, focusing on your group coaching vision, your individual project and learning needs;

* Access to lazer (15 minute) 1-1 weekly coaching calls with me during the course of the program at no extra cost.

This is a hands-on, interactive program. Calls will be recorded if you can’t make a session.

Here’s what previous participants have said about the program:

“I love programs that give you lots of useable takeaways. By that, I mean that I can use the materials I receive immediately in my business. The Group Coaching Essentials program gave me just that. Not only has it jump started my group coaching offerings, it will pay for itself many times over in the additional revenue I will generate.”

Nan O'Connor, MCC, http://www.nanoconnor.com

You can register for any of our upcoming programs directly at http://www.groupcoachingessentials.com/pages/gec. If you have any questions, or would like to register by phone, please contact me by email at info@potentialsrealized.com or direct at 416.996.8326.

With best wishes for your own group work in the coming months,

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)

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Core Coaching Competency - Powerful Questions

I wanted to share with you one of the articles I wrote for my newsletter this month on Powerful Questions. You can read this month's edition of the Group Coaching Nuggets newsletter here. Enjoy!

Core Coaching Competency - Powerful Questions

Copyright 2011 - Jennifer Britton. All Rights Reserved

One of the most important coaching skills to use, whether you are working one on one, with teams or groups, is powerful questions. In fact, powerful questions can create the foundation of a wonderful group coaching sessions. Powerful questions can be the backbone of conversations in a larger group, in pairs or even triads.

Let's imagine that you are working around the topic of strengths. One way to work wth a group on this topic is to have them complete some pre-work about strengths before your session. Perhaps as pre-work you have them make a list of their strengths, or have them complete a strengths assessment such as the VIA Strengths Inventory or Brief Strengths Test (at http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx ), or have them purchase and complete the StrengthsFinder 2.0 book. With this pre-work completed and reports/information at hand. Your group coaching session can focus on group discussions including:

1. What are your strengths?
2. What strengths are you using in your work/life/business?
3. How are you not? What's the impact of this?
4. What strengths are you overusing? How are these a blindspot?
5. Which one strength area would you like to focus on this month? What steps will you take?

The art of questioning is a core focus of the Mentor Coaching Groups I run for coaches, especially helping coaches become aware of the level at which your questions are focusing clients. Are you down in the weeds, or are your questions at the 30,000 ft or even 100, 000 foot level?

I want to leave you with a reminder of these important points to consider with powerful questions:

1. Often they are only 5-6 words in length. Notice what happens when your questions become too long.
2. Are open ended, often starting with a What? Notice the impact of questions that start with a Why or How?
3. Are purposeful in helping the client focus on what needs to be focused on - 30,000 feet and sometimes more tactical

Learning Edge:

As a coach make a list of your favorite powerful questions. Use these and notice the impact with clients. What do they do?

For those who have a copy of my book, Effective Group Coaching, check out pgs 148-150 - Twenty Plus Great Group Questions for Your Next Program. Don't have a copy yet? Order an autographed copy directly from me.

Warm regards

Jennifer Britton, CPCC, PCC

Host of the Group Coaching Essentials program (6.75 CCEs) - Next sessions start Nov 15 & Dec 1

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

Upcoming Programs - Group Coaching Training, Retreats, Mentor Coaching Group

At the start of each month I like to provide a quick update on upcoming programs. Here's our line up for the next month or so:

Group Coaching Essentials - This ICF approved CCE program is designed for coaches who want tips, tools and accountability around designing, marketing and implementing their own group coaching programs (virtual, in-person, public or corporate). The program consists of 5x75 minute gorup calls, weekly 1-1 lazer coaching calls with me, and an 80 page manual delivered in weekly modules. Group size is limited to 8 coaches to ensure maximum interaction. 6.75 CCEs.

Upcoming dates:
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am Eastern: November 15, 22, 29 December 13 and 20, 2011 (5 spaces open)
or the December accelerated program - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8:15 pm Eastern: December 1, 6, 8, 13 and 15, 2011
Cost: $375 US or CDN (including HST)

Click here for more info and to register.

Group Coaching Intensive - 2 day in person training - Toronto
December 3-4, 2011 (Sat/Sunday) - Sat 8-4, Sunday 8:30 - 5
This is a 15 hour/2 day in person group coaching training program. It will provide coaches with tools in design, marketing and implementation as well as skill practice and feedback for group coaching. All coaches participating receive a manual (which includes dozens of tools, templates and ideas), a copy of my book Effective Group Coaching, and a Group Coaching Toolbox (a box of tools for you to use with your groups), as well as a light lunch. ICF CCE approval will be sought for the program (past programs have received 15 CCEs including 13 hrs of Core Coaching competencies).
Cost: $950 CDN plus HST. Register with a colleague and each receive a $175 discount. Space is limited to 8 coaches.
Click here to register and reserve your spot

2012 BizSuccess Virtual Business Planning Retreat
Friday December 2 and 9 (1-4 pm Eastern/10-1 pm Pacific each day) - By phone
Each year end I host a two day virtual business planning retreat. If you are a coach and want to carve out some time for planning, as well as taking action on some business goals, then this is for you! You'll leave the program with a business road map for 2012, as well as spend time creating your vision and goals for the next year. We'll explore partnerships and you'll also have time to flesh out one of your major business projects. I'll be available throughout the day for any 1-1 work you want to do (at no extra cost!). Space is limited to 12.
Cost: $195 US
Click here for more info and to reserve your spot.

Group Program Design Virtual Retreat
Friday December 16 - 10-4 pm Eastern/7am-1pm Pacific (ByPhone)
Eager to take action on your own group program (workshop, retreat, teleclass, group coaching program)? Looking for space to take action, as well as some tips, tools and ideas so you don't have to reinvent the wheel? During this one day program I'll be sharing some of my favorite tools in design, marketing and running group programs. You'll also have time to take action on your own ideas. Past retreat participants have left with marketing materials drafted, exercises selected, a draft design of their day, venues identified. The day is all about you getting into action. I'll also be available at points throughout the day to answer your 1-1 questions. Your retreat registration also includes a 40 page manual, and a group follow up call one month after the event.
Cost: $175 US
Click here to register and reserve your spot.

Mentor Coaching Group
As many of you might know this year I started offering mentor coaching groups for coaches who are looking to acquire their mentor coaching hours for ACC renewals, or ACC/PCC portfolio routes. This is a 10 hour mentor coaching package, which includes 7 hours of group mentor coaching calls, and 3 hours of individual mentor coaching sessions (held monthly). We look at all 11 core coaching competencies of the ICF, and coaches will have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on their skills during the program. Each week you'll receive worksheets to support you with your learning.

The next group is scheduled to start on Fridays from 12-1 pm Eastern/9-10 am Pacific on January 6th. Space is limited to 4-6 coaches. If you have a group of 4 of your own and want to get started earlier, please give me a call. Want to start earlier? Let me know as I often receive requests from coaches who want to join a group.
Current pricing: $1000/10 hours. Pricing will increase in January.
Click here for more information and to reserve your spot.

If you have any questions about these upcoming programs, please do not hesitate to contact me directly by email or phone.

I look forward to having you join me!

Warm regards
Jennifer Britton, CPCC, PCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com
Phone: (416)996-TEAM (8326)