Mentor Coaching - Developing Your Muscle and Refining Your Craft

For the last few years I have been hosting the Mentor Coaching Group for ACC Renewals as well as ACC and PCC portfolio candidates. It's one of the group programs I really enjoy as I get to work with a small group of coaches (max 4) who are eager to sharpen their skills as a coach. It's amazing to see how crisp our skills can become when we place a focus on what we do.

Many of you have emailed me in recent weeks indicating that you enjoyed my article in the recent edition of Choice Magazine. You can download a copy of the article entitled Mentor Coaching: Developing Your Muscle and Refining Your Craft at my Resources page. Scroll down on this link to access this and other articles I have written.

 All of us can benefit from refining the work that we do through focus and practice.

Have a terrific week!

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2012)
Phone: (416)996-8326
Upcoming programs include the Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar (6.75 CCEs starting Nov 1st - Thurs 1030-11:45 am ET), the Group Coaching Intensive (2 days of in person training in Toronto - November 10-11, 15 CCE renewal pending), and the Mentor Coaching Group (Fridays 12 - 1pm ET starting November 16 and January 11, 2013)

Sharpening Your Skills as a Group or Team Coach - Audio Link

Thanks to all of you who joined me on Friday for the Fall 2012 Group Coaching Community Call. The topic this fall was sharpening your skills as a group or team coach. You can access the recording online here, as well as download the slides from the presentation. Look for the October 26, 2012 call on Sharpening Your Skills as a Team or Group Coach.

During this 50 minute call I discussed the core coaching competencies and specific techniques for group and team coaching. The call also challenges you to consider where your strengths lay as a coach, and what areas you want to continue to sharpen or refine.

There were some good suggestions for future calls including: Co-Facilitation, and incorporating training into a group coaching approach. What areas would you like the future quarterly calls to cover?

I hope that you enjoy the presentation. You are invited to continue the dialogue over at our Effective Group Coaching Facebook page.

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Phone: 416-996-TEAM
Upcoming programs include the Group Coaching Essentials teleclass (6.75 CCEs starting Thursday November 1st at 1030am Eastern) and the Group Coaching Intensive (15 hours - Sat/Sun November 10-11 in Toronto)
 

Reminder - Fall Community Call Friday at 12 noon ET

A quick reminder that I will be hosting the Fall Group Coaching Community call tomorrow, Friday October 26th from 12 - 12:45 pm ET. The topic will be on Sharpening Your Skills in Team and Group Coaching.

This fall I will be moving to a new delivery platform. In addition to an audio dial in, you will also be able to view a presentation online during our call. You can access the call by following these instructions:

1. Please join my meeting on Friday October 26 at 12 noon ET:
https://www.freescreensharing.com/meetings/282-229-972

2. Join the conference call:
Dial: (559)546-1200
and enter the
Meeting ID: 282-229-972
followed by the # key.


Additional Help:

Joining the Conference - At the scheduled date and time of the online meeting, dial into the conference line and when prompted enter the access code followed by the pound key.

Joining the Meeting - Click on the provided meeting link listed above. On the next page fill out your name and email address in the Join Meeting box. Once filled in, click on the Join Meeting button.

OR

Go to https://www.freescreensharing.com/ and fill in your name, email address and meeting ID (listed under Meeting ID above) fields in the Join Meeting login box.  Once filled in, click on the Join Meeting button.

You can listen into some of our past calls here by clicking this link.

Note that the audio portion of tomorrow's call will be recorded only. You will not be able to access the screensharing or chat function after the call.

I look forward to having you join us!

Warm regards.
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com
Phone: (416)996-8326 
Upcoming programs include: Group Coaching Essentials - 6.75 CCEs starting Thurs Nov 1st, Mentor Coaching Group for ACC Renewals starting November 2nd, and the Group Coaching Intensive (Toronto, Nov 10-11, 2012) 

Group Coaching: Follow the energy of the group

As group coaches and group facilitators it is so important to follow the energy of the group, noticing everything from the body language of the participants as well as what is being said and not being said within the group coaching context.

Group coaching is grounded in meeting the group where it is at, working with the varying "agendas" or focus areas of interest with the group member. The power of the group coaching conversation is in the conversation, and as such, it is key to follow the energy of the group.

Coaches new to this work can be looking for cues such as:
1. Interactive engagement between group members
2. Eye contact and eye glazing
3. Pace and pitch of the conversations taking place

As group coaches it is important for us to step back and let the group connect. In many ways the peer conversation is just as important as one that we can facilitate. With your next group opportunity notice what happens when you step back and have the group break into dyads or triads. What do you notice about the energy? The clarity? The lack of clarity?

Great group coaches need to be comfortable in working in a context of "not knowing". Not knowing where a question may lead the group. Not knowing where one group members comment will impact another. Not knowing sometimes what themes or topic areas are going to hold the most excitement for group members.

What's going to be your stretch this week or month in working with groups?

Have a terrific week!

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Phone: (416)996-8326
Upcoming Phone Based Programs include: Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar program (6.75 CCEs starting Thurs Nov 1 at 1030 am ET) and the Advanced Group Coaching Practicum (8 CCEs - starts Fri Nov 2 at 1030 am ET). We've also got the Mentor Coaching Group starting Friday November 2 at 12 noon ET for ACC Renewals and ACC/PCC Portfolio candidates.

Join us in Toronto on Saturday November 10 and Sunday November 11 for the Group Coaching Intensive (15 hours of training) - 4 spots still open

Partnering and Co-Facilitation: 10 Questions

Partnering with others, as co-facilitators, subject matter experts or collaborators, can be very useful in team coaching, and also larger group engagements. The advantages of  having more than one set of eyes, along with different perspectives, language and approaches can be beneficial for both the group/team and also the coach or facilitator.

What are some key ingredients in making partnering and co-facilitation work? Here are some things to consider:

Great partnering and co-facilitation doesn't just happen. It takes a lot of planning - pre-program, during design, in the moment and also after an engagement.  At each of these stages there will be key issues you will want to explore together, and possibly delegate for taking the lead on.

Communication is key between the collaborators. At each stage listed above you will want to be in conversation around questions such as:
- What is our common vision for this work?
- What are we committed to creating with this team/group?
- What strengths are we bringing - individually? Collectively?
- What complimentary skills do we bring? What gaps exist?
- What are the key components each person is going to run with? (Pre-program, during the program, post -program)?
- What roles do we want to play? What roles do we need?
- What is important for our work - individually? Collectively? For the group/team we are working with?
- What needs to flex - pre-program, during the program, post-program?
- What are we committed to NO MATTER WHAT?
- What type of feedback to each other will make this a really GREAT engagement?

These are by no means a cumulative list of questions you will want to be in communication around, but they are a great starting point.

As you think about your upcoming work, how could a collaborator provide added value to what you are creating?

Have a great week!

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Group CoachingEssentials teleclass - Next program starts Thursday November 1st (meets Thursdays from 10:30 - 11:45 am Eastern). 6.75 CCEs
Advanced Group Coaching Practicum - Fridays 10:30 - 11:45 am Eastern: November 2 - December 14 (8 CCEs)

October Program Line Up: Mentor Coaching, Intensive, Group Coaching Essentials

It's hard to believe that October is already here, and the leaves outside my window are proof that fall is here. Here's our October and early November program line up of virtual (and one in-person) learning opportunities:

Group Coaching Essentials (6.75 CCEs with the ICF):
Geared for coaches who are looking to design and run their own group coaching programs (in-person, virtual, corporate or public), we cover the nuts and bolts of group coaching - design, marketing, implementation.
The October group will be held on Tuesdays from 6-7:15 pm Eastern/New York: October 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6 (This class can be followed by the Nov/Dec Advanced Practicum- save $40 when you register for both) OR
November group: Thursdays 10:30-11:45 am ET: November 1, 8, 15, 29 and December 6

Advanced Group Coaching Practicum (8 CCEs with the ICF):

For GEC Alumni and experienced group coaches who are looking for more practice and feedback on their group coaching skills in a virtual environment. We take a deeper dive at key group coaching issues such as virtual learning, co-facilitation, and tricky issues. Each participating coach will lead a 25 minute group coaching process during one of our weekly calls.
November/December 2012: Fridays 10:30 - 11:45 am ET: November 2-Dec 14 (no class Nov 23)

Mentor Coaching Group - For ACC Renewals, ACC and PCC Portfolio Routes
The Mentor Coaching Group provides coaches an opportunity to sharpen their coaching skills and take a deeper dive at looking at the core coaching competencies. We meet as a small group (max 4 coaches) for 7 hours, and individually for 3 hours, over a 3 month period. Next session starts Thursdays from 12 - 1 pm Eastern/New York: October 11 - January 10.

Group Program Virtual Retreat: Ready to focus and take action on your group program ideas (workshop, retreat, webinar or teleclass)? Join me for an intensive burst of action around your next group program during Friday October 26 and Friday November 2nd (1-4pm Eastern). We will spend the two afternoons rolling up our sleeves and immersing ourselves in action and tips to bring forward  your next group program. Each hour is comprised of a mix of group conversation and individual exercises.

Group Coaching Intensive - Toronto, CANADA - November 10-11, 2012
This two day in-person program provides coaches with both the nuts and bolts of group coaching, as well as practice in group coaching techniques. Over the two days we take a look at topics including design, marketing, virtual facilitation, co-facilitation, tricky issues, corporate programs, exercises/tools, and many more. Space is limited to 10-12 coaches. 5 spots still open. More info and to register at http://bit.ly/hccays. The program will be held at the Holiday Inn Toronto West Mississauga - which has shuttle service to the Toronto International Airport. Special hotel room rate available for those coming in out of town. An application has been submitted to the ICF to have this program reapproved for 15 CCEs (including 13 hrs of core competencies).

If you have any questions about any of the programs, or want to order offline, please contact me directly by email or at (416)996-8326.

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
GroupCoachingEssentials.com