5 Great Summer Reads

This summer I have built in several weeks of holiday time, where I am working remotely a couple of days a week from my cottage. This has given me the added benefit of finally getting back to reading - a pastime I love, but haven't had a lot of time for these past few summers with my son (who is now 5)and other projects on the go. This year Matthew is a lot more independent and enjoys exploring the surroundings for fish and frogs and worms. It's allowing me to get a head start on some reading.

Here are 5 of my favorites so far this summer:

1. Happy - Ian Smith
2. Mojo: how to Get It, How To Keep It, and How to Get It Back If You Lose It: Marshall Goldsmith (http://www.MojoTheBook.com)
3. Collaboration: Morten Henson
4. The Happiness Project: Gretchin Rubin
5. Who's Got Your Back? - Keith Ferrazzi

What books are you reading and enjoying this summer? What would you add to the Summer 2010 Reading List?

Have a great week,
Jennifer

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

Join me Thursday at 4 pm ET for CoachChat at BlogTalkRadio

I've been invited to the Guest Expert on Group Coaching Issues on tomorrow's CoachChat show at 4 pm ET. CoachChat is a new half hour radio show on Blog Talk Radio, sponsored by the ICF New York City Chapter, geared to coaches.

Join us tomorrow from 4-4:30 pm ET for the half hour episode on Group Coaching and call in to (347) 989-8081.

I'll be sharing many tips and ideas for coaches from my book Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) around group coaching, including some best practices.

Hope that you can join us. See you there!

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized
Phone: (416)996-8326
Next Group Coaching Essentials program starts Thursday July 8th at 10:30 am ET (Accredited for 6.75 CCEs with the ICF)

July Program Line Up - Group Coaching Training and Retreats

Summer is often a popular time to get the ball rolling with your own program offering design and marketing. If you are looking for tips, tools and accountability in getting your programs up and running more quickly here's what's on tap this month:

Group Coaching Essentials starts July 8 (Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45 am ET): July 8, 22, 29, Aug 5 and 12
This ICF Accredited CCE program (6.75 hours) provides coaches with resources, structures, and exercises for designing and marketing their group coaching programs (in person/by phone, corporate or public programs).

Here's what two recent participants have said about the program:
“Group Coaching Essentials helped me take action towards offering group programs. I’m now equipped with th necessary knowledge, skills and tools to design and facilitate the courses I envision. This program will give you the confidence boost you are looking for and thee accountability you need to make it all happen” – Matt Naskrent, PCC, Pinnacle Success Source, http://www.PinnacleSuccessSource.com

“Jennifer delivers not only the content well, but I found the course provided the content in a very useful format, that similar to what I will be using. If you work through the exercises you wind up with a finished product. The group format used also provides for a level of accountability that keeps you going and provides feedback on your ideas and approach from both Jennifer and from the class. As a result of this course I now have my program ready to o to market months earlier than I would have otherwise. I look forward to working with Jennifer again in the future. Thanks for the quick start to what I hope will become a significant part of my business” – Bill Wright, http://www.mycoachbill.com

Click here to read more about the program, or to register. Space still available for this week's program. Cost $325 US.

Accelerated Summer Group Coaching Essentials: Tues/Thurs 2-3:15 pm ET: July 22, 27, 29, Aug 5 and 12
As above but in a more accelerated format.

One Day Group Program Virtual Retreat/Intensive (Phone): Wednesday August 4, 2010 (10-4 pm ET)
This one day program is geared for coaches and facilitators who want to take focused action on their own group program design or marketing. The program provides a six hour structured series of group calls and individual exercises to boost your focus and output.
Here's what people have been saying about the program:

Thank you again for such a remarkable, well organized workshop for Group Coaching. The timing and the content that I received from you in the Group Program Virtual Intensive was invaluable. The class was structured so that we would walk away with a working personalized model ready for implementation. You transformed the concepts into easily implementable steps that made it seem effortless. Had I not taken this course, I would not have developed the confidence to feel like I could really make it happen. You provided the guidance for specific areas that were challenging participants from technology and marketing to setting up payment systems on-line. You are truly a gifted teacher.

Jeanne Pochily – Women’s Wellness and Life Coach

Click here for more information and to register

BizSuccess Virtual Business Planning Retreat (for Coaches): Wednesday July 21 (9:30-3:3o pm ET) - by phone
Are you eager to put some focus on your business this summer and want to spend time focusing on where you are going? Join me for this one day phone based business planning retreat where you will move through a series of business planning exercises to refine your vision for the next year, set business goals and identify your "sweet spot". Cost: $150 US.
Click here for more information and to register.

Advanced Group Coaching Issues starts July 22nd (Thursdays 12 - 1:15 pm ET)
Geared for alumni of the Group Coaching Essentials program, the Advanced Group Coaching program focuses in on

• Advanced Design Approaches
• Pitfalls and Tricky Issues
• Dealing with Difficult Clients
• Boosting Engagement and Impact for Your Clients
• Systems for group coaching to leverage your time and results
• Advanced issues for virtual program delivery (phone/web)
• Building Your Unique Platform - Leveraging the Programs you have in place for additional revenue streams
• Advanced Marketing Issues
• Exploration of newer technologies for program delivery and marketing
• More Group Coaching Exercises!
• An opportunity to practice your own group coaching facilitation, and receive feedback on it during the program

Cost: $395 US (includes a copy of the Effective Group Coaching book)

Click here for more info and to register for the Advanced Group Coaching program.

Looking forward to having you join me this month!

Warmly
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CHRP, CPT
Potentials Realized
Phone: (416) 996-8326
Email: info{at} potentialsrealized.com

Where's Your Mojo?

My team coaching partner, Sharon Miller of CoachingWorks recently introduced me to Marshall Goldsmith's concept of Mojo. It's been a few years since I've seen Marshall speak, but am still influenced by his words at the 2005 CSTD Annual Conference which challenged us to get our learners to identify only one action step or commitment at the end of a program, rather than a 10 item laundry list.

I just opened up May's T and D magazine from ASTD (yes, I'm a little behind on some of my reading), and there is a great article from Marshall on Mojo for the learning professional. He states "I operationally define Mojo as "that positive spirit - toward what we are doing now - that starts on the inside and radiates to the outside. We experience Mojo when we engage in activities that simultaneously provide us with happiness and meaning."

How are you as a coach engaging in activities which make you happy? Activities which are meaningful? Both of these are essential for Mojo. How are you supporting your clients to engage in activities which make them happy and meaningful?

You can read more about Goldsmith's book - Mojo: How to Get It, How To Keep It, and How to Get It Back If you Lose it, http://www.MojoThebook.com.

Have a terrific week!

Warmly
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Group Coaching Essentials: Several ICF Accredited programs starting this summer including start dates on July 8 (Thursdays 10:30 -11:45 am ET), July 22nd (Summer accelerated program, and also in August)
Author of Effective Group Coaching
Phone: (416) 996-TEAM (8326)

8 Advantages of Phone Based Group Coaching Programs

Whether you offer group coaching programs in person or by the phone, it's always good to reflect on why phone based programs may be a great stream for your work. Back in 2005 when my son was born I literally 'virtualized' all my work with groups and teams overnight so that I could spend as much time with him as possible. Since then I have returned to a balance between in person and phone based work, and it is always nice to know that I have choice.

Here's what I commonly hear as some of the advantages of phone based group coaching programs:

1. Enables participation of participants/coachees from all parts of the world, regardless of timezone or location;
2. Potential for global learning and sharing of experiences, and insights from across the global community;
3. Less travel time (and cost) for you and the participants;
4. Reduces your carbon footprint for the program;
5. Lower overhead cost - many bridgeline services are free or a low cost to the facilitator (note participants typically have to pay for their long distance charges to access the bridgeline);
6. Ability to call in from any location (great for the coach and participants. I have had group members call in from beaches, forests, hotels, home and of course the office)
7. Potential for lower cost per hour given that less time may be required for delivery and participation
8. A feeling of "anonymity" or "safety" for participants to share more, especially for people who may be in highly competitive industries, or smaller communities, where it can be liberating to just be "Jenn" in a more neutral context

I'll be speaking further about some of the benefits as well as techniques for virtual faciliation on next month's Effective Group Coaching call.

What do you see as the benefits to phone based group coaching work for you, and for your clients/coachees? As always, please feel free to comment below.

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Group Coaching Essentials - Next ICF Accredited CCE training starts on July 8th (Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45 am ET).
Phone: 416.996.8326
Email: info{at} potentialsrealized{com}

What Goes into a Group Coaching Proposal?

I often get asked by coaches "What should I include in a group coaching proposal for organizations"? Here's an excerpt from my book, Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010), on the topic:

"Most organizations have thir own internal reqruiemrnts for proposals, workselection, and standard contracts. Agreements may range from written approval of proposals to letters of agreement. The organization may have their own standard format, or they may ask you to provide one. Much of this depends on your local context.
With your organizational contact or the sponse, confim what is reqruiemd in a proposal. Basic elements you will want to consider including are:

• Background;
• Objectives;
• Program components - including needs assessment, design, delivery, evaluation, and any other follow-up;
• Proposed work schedule;
• Pricing
• Similar programs delivered (maintaining confidentiality and non-disclosure as needed);
• Any subcontractors (or other coaches) you will be using- including their bio; and
• References/testimonials"

(Copyright: Jennifer Britton, 2010 - Effective Group Coaching, pp. 184, John Wiley and Sons)

What else do you find useful including in your proposals for group coaching or other work? As always, please feel free to comment below.

Have a great week!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, CPCC, PCC, CPT

Potentials Realized

Group Coaching Essentials: the next ICF Accredited CCE program stars on Thursdays from 12 - 1:15 pm ET on July 8, 22, 29, August 5 and 12th). I'll also be offering an accelerated summer version of the program starting July 22nd (Tues/Thurs 2 - 3:15 pm ET)

Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

Phone: (416)996-8326

Group Coaching and Your Personal Cultural Identity

Guest blog post for Group Coaching Ins & Outs

Submitted by Jennifer Bradley
www.jenniferbradleyphd.com

------------------------------
If you coach groups or teams it is very likely that you will have individuals from different cultural backgrounds as coachees. Have you considered your personal cultural identity? Most interculturalists contend that an in-depth understanding of your own culture is the foundation of your ability to work effectively with diverse groups.

I invite you to try the exercise below as a way of exploring how culture has shaped your identity today. This exercise, adapted from the work of psychologist Larke Nahme Huang, asks you to consider both how you see yourself (personal internal identity) and your views on how others see you (social external identity). Answer the questions below to explore these two different dimensions of cultural identity.

1. (a) Make a list the groups that you belong to that you feel have shaped who you are today.
Examples might be groups based on nationality, ethnicity, language use, religion, politics, region, or socioeconomic group. Select those groups that you feel have been most significant to to you personally.

1 (b) Extend your list by adding other groups, roles, or attributes that you feel have been or are important to how you see yourself. Examples might be family (sibling, son or daughter, parent, partner, spouse, etc.), profession, gender, age, health status, or role in your community.

1 (c) Different attributes may be salient at different times and in different contexts. For instance, if you are bilingual but now live in a community this is largely monolingual, being bilingual may be more salient if you experience this as a loss, or less salient because this aspect of your identity is in the background. It depends on your personal experience.

Review your list of responses to both (a) and (b), and mark the top 5 or 6 influences that seem most relevant to you today. Your answers to question 1 gives you information on your personal internal identity.

2. Next, think about how others might perceive you. For example, as a coach beginning work with a new group, what do you think is most salient to group members as they figure out who you are? What sources of information are they most likely to rely on to construct your identity?

Examples might be physical attributes such as skin color, appearance, gender, age, language use and accent, group memberships, professional, and community roles. This list gives you information about your social external identity in the context you have chosen.

3. Now compare the dimensions of how you see yourself (internal identity) with how you perceive that others see you (external identity).

What similarities and differences do you notice?
What aspects of your internal and external identity are congruent or dissonant?
Which aspects do you experience positively or negatively?

In his book, Coaching across Cultures, [link: http://www.coachingacrosscultures.com]
Philippe Rosinski argues that by leveraging cultural differences coaches expand the options available and improve coaching outcomes.

What new opportunities have you identified based on this exploration of your cultural identity? Share your thoughts and feedback below.



About the author:

Jennifer Bradley, Ph.D. helps mid-career professionals and expatriates craft a work-life environment where they can flourish both personally and professionally. She is a Registered Occupational Psychologist (U.K.) and Accredited Coach (ICF). She holds a Doctorate from the University of Manchester (U.K.) and a Masters Degree in Intercultural Relations (University of the Pacific, CA). She currently resides in Dallas, TX. She can be reached at http://www.jenniferbradleyphd.com.