In my latest book, From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching, a chapter is dedicated to looking at how the eleven core coaching competencies of the ICF play out in a group and team coaching context. Today I wanted to take a look at the competency of Designing Actions with teams and groups you work with.It's important to remember that group and team coaching are related sub-disciplines of the coaching profession, and although there are some additional skills required to be masterful team or group coaches, our core skill foundation remains the same.
There are six areas I highlight as quite important in any team and group coaching process, to support clients in designing actions. In the group coaching context actions may be taken individually, or depending on the synergy of a group, may be cumulative. In a team coaching context often actions are across an entire team or involving the entire team.
Area 1 - Application opportunities. As I write on page 79 of From One to Many, "Fundamental to the coaching process is the actino that comes from the conversation....Coaching is a conversation with intent. What action is the group or team inspired to take? Application of the new learning is key...".
What application opportunities are you co-designing with your group and team members?
Area 2 - Brainstorming and other approaches. We play a key role in supporting groups and teams to identify other options in leading them to their goals. Brainstorming can be a very useful process individually and collectively in moving thinking outside of the box. At what levels will these options support the group or team - big picture, or tactical?
Area 3 - Do It Now! One of my favorite sub-components listed by the ICF under the Designing Action competency is about the coach supporting a client in Doing it NOW! What does DO IT NOW look like for the teams and groups you are working with. What support would they like from you?
Area 4 - Stretch and Super-stretch: Coaching is a process of change. As such we work quite closely with clients to identify their comfort zones, and support them in stretching these. In a group or team coaching process, it is important to recognize that a stretch for one many not be a stretch for all. What is the stretch, or are the stretches, for the groups and teams you are working with?
Area 5 - Opportunities for Celebration - Team and group coaching conversations offer important pauses in today's busy world. As coaches it is important to create moments for reflection and also celebration, as individuals, and the collective reach new milestones, habits and learning through their action.
Area 6 - Field Work. As I have written many times in the past, the real impact of coaching happens outside of our conversations. Field work - whether a coaching request, reading, research - helps to support group and team members in taking action. Our next coaching conversation provides greater accountability in getting it done.
What field work will support your clients in taking action?
In closing, taking action is an important part of the coaching process, and is closely linked to the goal setting work we go with teams, as well as another related competency of Designing Actions. What else is important for you to keep in mind around Designing Actions?
With best wishes,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC, CPCC
Potentials Realized | GroupCoachingEssentials.com
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Phone: (416)996-TEAM (8326)
A reminder that the Early Bird Rate is on for the April 5-6 Group Coaching Intensive until February 28th. Take advantage of more than $100 in savings and payment in multiple installments. The program includes two days of hands-on practice in group and team coaching processes, and will be held in the Toronto areas. The program runs Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6 from 8:30 - 5 on Saturday and 8:30-4:30 on Sunday. Reserve your spot here. Space is limited to 8-10 coaches.
The group coaching conversation can feel “wide and broad” rather than the deep, deep dive of an individual coaching conversation.
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