Group Coaching Exercises

This week we looked at Group Coaching Exercises during the Group Coaching Essentials program.

Many coaches often wonder "What kind of exercises will I run with my groups?"

The good news is that as a coach you already have a number of really great tools that can be adapted for the group coaching context. Consider the following tools and think about how you could adapt them for your next group coaching process:

- Wheel of Life
- Values
- Visualizations
- Powerful Questions
- Creating a Vision
- Vision Boards
- Journalling
- Life Mapping

This week during the class I shared with the group some of my experience and favorite exercises I've used with different groups - business owners, professionals from financial services and health care, groups of international professionals, womens groups and those looking at work-life balance. Regardless of type of group, I do find that many of the topics/exercises listed above are relevant across client groups and focus.

Over the years I've included more detailed info about group coaching exercises here at the blog (check out the group exercises tag). I also go into much greater depth in the Engaging Exercises for Teams and Groups Manual and I dedicated a 40 page appendix in Effective Group Coaching to the topic of exercises.

In moving forward with exercises in your own group coaching work you may wish to:
- Make a list or mindmap of all of the coaching tools and exercises you have at hand
- Consider what adjustments you would make to these tools for the group context
- Research new tools and exercises
- Connect with coaches you know to swap stories and ideas
- Explore associations such as ASTD and the resources they have which can be adapted for coaching with groups

What is going to be your next step as it relates to exercises?

Have a great start to the week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Group Coaching Essentials: Next session starts next Tuesday August 17 (7-8:15 pm ET). We'll spend 1 of the 5 calls of the program looking at group coaching exercises
Email: info{at} potentialsrealized{dot}com
Phone: (416)996-TEAM (8326)

Virtual Learning and Training

Everywhere I've turned in the last few weeks there has been talk about virtual learning and facilitation. Last month my Effective Group Coaching call for Alumni and book purchasers focused on Virtual Facilitation - Tips, Tools and Resources. I attended a wonderful presentation by Jane Bozarth and Kassy LaBorie entitled "Activities, Games and Energizers for Synchronous online Training" last week presented by ASTD, and just yesterday received from ASTD a copy of Virtual Learning Basics (a must read!) by Cindy Huggett. You can pick up her book at Amazon.com or ASTD.com.

Looking at your own work and plans:

• What plans do you have for delivering web or phone based programs this fall?
• What are the questions you have about virtual facilitation?
• What additional training or skills do you need to run a virtual program?
• What support systems do you need to put into place?
• What is the one step you can take to turn your program ideas into a reality?
• What resource would you recommend to others on the topic of virtual learning or training?

Have a great week!

Warm regards,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CHRP, CPT

Group Coaching Essentials - Next group starts Tuesday August 17th at 7 pm Eastern/New York (Tues 7-8:15 pm Aug 17, 24, 31, Sept 7 and 14, 2010 - 6.75 CCEs with ICF

Phone: (416)996-8326

Ready Made Content for Coaches

Looking for some ready made content? Check out ReadyToRollOut.com. Early last year coach and one of my favorite co-facilitators Deborah Grayson-Riegel and I came together to create a series of workbooks which can be used, or adapted for:
- Workshops
- Group Coaching
- Teleclasses
- Newsletters
- Presentations
These are turnkey workbooks which can be used “as is” or branded with your company identity. We currently offer 6 major titles:

• Personal Productivity and Time Management
• Networking Essentials
• Strategies for Change Management
• Managing Up
• Overcoming Roadblocks (in Work or Life)
• Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Career Transition)

Purchase gives you access to 100 licenses, so you can use it with up to a 100 clients as is.

Deb and I have woven together our decades of experience in working with corporate, non-profit and community programs as trainers, coaches and facilitators. Deb and I first met back in 2007 when we co-facilitated the Learning Lab for Coaches attending the ASTD International Conference that year. Even back then coaches were hungry for more quality content.

The workbooks are delivered in word format, enabling you to add your own touches, change the flow, or pull out what you want for your own teleclass or presentation

Pricing starts at $97 US per title, or $297 US per branded title.

Visit http://www.readytorollout.com for details on each title or to purchase.

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me an email at info@potentialsrealized.com or call me at (416) 996-8326. Hope that you enjoy them!

Warm regards,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC

Group Coaching Essentials

Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)

Phone: (416) 996-8326

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{com}

Group Facilitator Readiness for Coaches: Part 2

Building onto our post earlier this week, here are some core best practices for group facilitation:

• Create a safe, and open learning environment
• Spend time creating ground rules, or ways of working
• speak clearly, and slowly. Avoid jargon.
• Treat all participants as equals - and wherever possible ensure equal focus (time)
• Stay as neutral as possible
• Have the group be the focus of attention - not you
• Adapt your coaching skills for the group context
• Point to what you are noticing in terms of the group process
• Providing particpants with a brief roadmap of what they can expect (in terms of process)

Some traps to avoid are:

• Getting defensive
• Taking sides
• Knowing the answer
• Not really listening to what is being said
• Going over time
• Not managing or acknowledging conflict that exists
• Letting one person dominate

What are some of the best practices you would recommend for group facilitation?

Have a great week!

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CPT

Author of Effective Group Coaching

Early Bird rate for our Group Facilitation Skills Training program on until July 30th (September 24-25, 2010 in Toronto, CANADA)

Group Facilitator Readiness for Coaches

Individual 1-1 coaches who are moving into the group coaching realm often ask me "What are some of the core facilitation skills and practices I should keep in mind when working with groups?". Knowledge of how a group develops, along with core group facilitation skills and practices, plus your core coaching skills will provide a baseline foundation for you to deliver your own group coaching programs.

Here are some points to keep in mind when moving to working with groups:

• Create a theme and a rough road map - It may not be as detailed as a workshop agenda, but loosely consider what are the major activities or themes you are going to focus in on. With mulitple client agendas present, unless group size is very small (i.e. 3-4) it can be very challenging for coach and client if everyone comes wanting coaching around very different areas
• If possible, spend some time pre-program getting to know your participants. It may be as simple as a questionnaire or a short phone call. If you can't meet with them before, definitely spend time as a group talking about expectations and what people want out of the group coaching process
• Be aware of the process groups (and teams) move through. Bruce Tuckman's work and theory on group and team dynamics is critical to keep in mind when working with groups. Be ready for conflict, performance and lots of other interesting behaviors in between. Leave time at the end to celebrate. I go into much more detail about the impact of group dynamics on group coaching in my book Effective Group Coaching.
• Recognize that there will be a lot of different preferences in the room which may require different approaches, exercises and languaging.
• Remember that group coaching is based on coaching, and that you already bring a number of tools and exercises which can be adapted. One of your most powerful skills will continue to be the power of a question!

Later this week I will go into some basic group facilitation practices - things to do, and traps to avoid!

Have a great week,

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CPT

Group Coaching Essentials - Next ICF CCE Accredited Group Coaching training program starts on Thursday July 22nd at 2 pm ET. Click here for more info or to register.

Early Bird rate for our next Group Facilitation Skills Training program (September 24-25, Toronto) on until July 30th.

Phone: (416)996-8326

Accelerated Summer Group Coaching Essentials starts Thurs July 22nd

For those eager to get their own group coaching programs positioned for fall and winter, I wanted to drop you just a quick note to let you know about the Accelerated Group Coaching Essentials program which starts next Thursday July 22nd (2-3:15 pm ET).

The program is designed to provide coaches with tips, tools and support in designing, marketing and implementing their own group coaching programs, whether they are phone based or in person programs, corporate or group programs.

The Group Coaching Essentials program covers:
· The Foundation of Group Coaching – What is Group Coaching, 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 Audience, General Marketing Principles and Materials
· Filling Up Your Toolbox – Exercises and Other Resources for Group Coaching

The program is accredited for 6.75 hours of CCEs (Continuing Coach Education Units) with the ICF.

Dates: July 22, 27, 29, August 5 and 12, 2010 (2-3:15 pm Eastern) - Summer Accerlerated Program OR August 3, 10, 17, 24 and September 14, 2010 (Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am ET)

Cost: $325 US or Canadian

To find out more about what coaches have said about the program and to register you can visit www.groupcoachingessentials.com/pages/gec. Registration is online or offline by phone at (416) 996-8326 (Visa and AMEX).

For those just looking to focus on "getting it done" and working on their program design, you may also be interested in joining me for a 1 Day Group Program Virtual Retreat on August 4th (10-4 pm ET) where we will spend the day online and offline working on our group programs.

I look forward to having you join me!

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Group Coaching Essentials
Author of Effective Group Coaching
Phone: 416-996-TEAM (8326)
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized.com

Generational Differences in Group Learning

It may be possible that in any of your group programs you have a range of age groups, or different generations, participating. There is getting to be a lot more information and research into the diferent preferences of the different generations. one of the sources I have found useful is the work of Cam Marston at www.generationalinsights.com. You can check out his blog as well.

I write more about the impact of Generational Preferences as it relates to group coaching in my book Effective Group Coaching. I would encourage coaches to continue considering what you include in your programs, and how you deliver it. Different technologies may have impact on different age groups, and different age groups, such as Millenials/Gen Y may have a natural inclination for group work, based on their educational experiences.

Issues to consider are:
- How to leverage the expertise of all participants, recognizing that there may be different levels of experience
- How to support participants through any technological challenges/hurdles they may face in participating
- How to celebrate the diversity of perspectives that exist across age groups, and to support sharing of insights and a valuing of all perspectives

On a practical note you will also want to consider how people would like to receive their materials (online PDFs, materials delivered on a USB or by email versus hard copy materials)

At the end of the day, we need to continue on what is it that our clients, or audience, wants and values. What will best support their learning styles?

What do you notice about the different needs of different generations in your programs? Any trends? As always, please feel free to comment below.


Warm regards,
Jennifer

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