Get Ready for Group Coaching

Get Ready for Group Coaching

Enjoy a sneak peak of a small component of what is included in coach training!  In the next two blogs you will explore the opportunities for clients and coaches alike with group coaching plus move through a step-by-step how to for planning and coaching a group.

It is important to first differentiate between group and team coaching.

• A team is a functioning work team with the same objective or goals. Team coaching is commonly used in the workplace so now the International Coaching Federation, ICF, offers a credential in team coaching.  The team coaching competencies are on ICF’s website: https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/team-coaching/competencies
• A group is people that may or may not know each other; their interests and individual goals are similar. Group coaching is sometimes used in the workplace.  Specifically, if an organization has a group of high potentials who are developing themselves as future leaders, they each have individual goals and group coaching is a powerful tool to support their development.

Group coaching is an opportunity for clients that adds value beyond individual coaching.  It is also an opportunity for coaches to expand their coaching business.

During the Certified Master Coach, Certified Advanced Coach, and Coaching Experience segments of the Level 1 and Level 2 coach training programs, participants learn about group and team coaching.  The coaching practicum includes running group coaching.  The fun part about this process is that people coming into the class are thinking they will only be offering individual coaching and then when they complete the program, they say offering group coaching makes sense.  Group coaching is a valuable service for your coaching clients and a wonderful opportunity for you as a coach.

Consider the possibilities for group coaching based on your niche and your ideal client.  Following are examples organized by different types of coaching.

Academia:

• Group coaching for administrators to share challenges and brainstorm ideas with colleagues.
• Group coaching for teachers to explore common classroom management challenges and techniques.
• Group coaching for students focused on dealing with peer pressure, how to have a successful academic career, preparing for college, transitions through the different levels of schooling, and more.

Addiction:

• Group coaching for people in recovery to share experiences and brainstorm continued forward progress.
• Group coaching for family members to share experiences and brainstorm how to support someone in recovery while still taking care of yourself.

Business

• Group coaching for start-ups to explore ideas, processes, best practices, and the various components of a business.
• Group coaching for small business owners focused on scalability, sustainability, marketing, growth, customer service, and more.
• Group coaching for small business owners focused on preparing to sell their business.

Career

• Group coaching for individuals launching their career.
• Group coaching for individuals changing careers.
• Group coaching for individuals advancing their career.

Executive

• Group coaching for executives interested in a Master Mind group.
• Group coaching for executives on presence, branding, and other skill development.
• Group coaching for executives on succession planning.

Leadership

• Group coaching for high potential individuals on becoming an effective leader.
• Group coaching for leaders on leadership style.
• Group coaching for leaders on skills including communication, confidence, motivating others, inspiring others, developing and communicating vision, etc.

Life

• Group coaching for teens to focus on peer relationships, their academic careers, dealing with family challenges, etc.
• Group coaching for individuals with ADHD on strategies and techniques.
• Group coaching for people in transition – separately for people who are retiring, relocating internationally, relocating domestically, changing roles in the family, divorcing, entering a new marriage, etc.

Wellness

• Group coaching for people focused on nutrition and fitness.
• Group coaching for people interested in mindfulness and / or well-being.

Clearly there are a multitude of opportunities to offer group coaching!

The benefits of participating in group coaching for clients include:

• A shared experience with others in similar situations.
• Hearing ideas from others in group discussions.
• Easier entry point in terms of cost.
• Networking with the others in the group.
• Cost effective for companies to develop their people.
• Building skills including communication, confidence, and goal setting.

The benefits of offering group coaching for coaches include:

• Business opportunity because it is an additional service offering.
• The ability to offer coaching packages that include both individual and group coaching.
• Reach and help more people through coaching.
• People in groups often discover they want individual coaching too.

What planning is involved in preparing for and offering group coaching?  Similar to individual coaching, it starts with becoming a coach – specifically, completing your coach training and earning a credential with the International Coaching Federation.  When you are coaching a group, all your coaching competencies and the process you learned for coaching individuals apply throughout your sessions.  In the next blog there are multiple logistics to consider and decide on in preparation for offering group coaching as well as tips for coaching a group.