Questions in the Group Coaching Context

Group coaching is an extension of the coaching process, and is grounded in the core coaching competencies. Given the range of coaching models out there, I like to bring a lot of my discussions back to the ICF Core Coaching Competencies. One of the eleven competencies is a competency called "Powerful Questions". As I often say "Questions form the backbone to any coaching conversation".

Powerful questions in the group coaching context are:
- Short in length - shorter is often better
- Linked to the learning preferences of the group members. Depending on the types of groups you work with there may be a mix of learning styles (usual) or there may be a predominance of one style (particularly if you are working within a specific industry or if you are working with a group of technical experts). One difference I see in asking questions within the group (or team) context is that I may ask the same question a number of ways to meet the needs of the different group members. For example, one person may connect with the question "What does it look like?" whereas another might connect with "What does it feel like?".
- Encourage new insights, action and/or perspectives
- Help our group members look at issues from a range of levels - the big picture, or 30,000 foot view, as well as those at the micro-level

In my first book, Effective Group Coaching, I included a number of standard questions. They follow. Note that I have more included more team and group coaching  in the appendix of my new book which will be out in June - stay tuned!

For now, here are 19+ you may wish to draw upon during one of your  upcoming programs:

Starters/Warm up:

1. What do you want to take away from today's session?
2. What's your hope for today's session? What's your fear? What's your fantasy?
3. What is your intention for the day?
4. What will you commit to bringing to the group?
5. What role do you want to in the group?
6. What is your unique gift which you bring to the group?
7. On a scale of 0-10 how engaged will be with the process?
8. What risk will you take today?
9. What is one action you can take today to stretch your comfort zone?

Checking in along the way

1.      What's been your biggest ah-ha so far?

2.      What will turn up the volume on your learning?

3.      What is one thing that you can do in the next hour/day/session that will stretch your comfort zones?

4.      What has shifted for you since we started?

                                                                       

Action Planning: 

1.      What's going to make that exciting for you? OR

2. On a scale of 1-10 how exciting is that for you?

3.      On a scale of 1-10 how committed are you to it?

4.      What action can you take to make this happen?

5.      What do you need to commit to?

6.      What do you need to say yes to? What do you need to say no to?

(Source: Britton, Effective Group Coaching, pages 149-150 (Wiley, 2010))

What are the favorite questions you bring into your group coaching work?

Best wishes,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Group Coaching Essentials.com

Phone: (416)996-TEAM (8326)

Looking for more tips and tools for your group programs? The next Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar starts this Thursday Feb 28 at 10 am Eastern. Group calls are held on Feb 28, March 87, 14, 28 and April 4, 2013.  6.75 CCEs with the ICF.