Group Coaching has several distinctive advantages...
Although having the undivided attention of a coach may seem like an absolute necessity
— given the sensitive and private nature of the work you do together —
there are also specific advantages to being coached within a group rather than solo.
In a group coaching session...
 |
There's a
broader base for gathering
examples and information. You are not limited to the experiences of
your coach since many of your fellow coachees bring a wealth of
their own experience and useful information to each session —
this is one case where "more" can be decidedly better!
|
|
|
Lively debate and discussion,
moderated by your coach, helps keep the class engaged and focused
on the primary topic or goal of the session.
|
|
|
You have the opportunity to
try out new ideas or approaches
on your fellow coachees before promoting those
ideas or concepts within your work environment.
|
|
|
Because each group coaching session involves a mixture of people from
different backgrounds, they have no "axe to grind"
regarding you, your position, or your work. Therefore, you
most often receive
honest, unbiased feedback and support
from the group.
|
|
|
Depending on the makeup of a particular group, you have the opportunity to
network and meet people both
inside and outside your specific industry or discipline. These
associations can lead to expanded job and business opportunities.
|
|
|
Your financial investment is less
for group coaching than for private coaching.
|
We won't try to kid you, there are a couple of disadvantages to
group coaching as well. However, the disadvantages pale by comparison with the
advantages just mentioned.
How Does Group Coaching Work?
There are essentially two ways in which group coaching takes place:
|
|
The first is through a teleseminar, such as those in the
Techies on the Rise™
series — where participants are coached in sessions with specific,
pre-defined themes.
Benefit(s):
In addition to the group coaching, you also receive a brief
lesson from your coach that adds to your knowledge base in small,
easily digestible and easily integrated packets.
How it works:
Participants meet once weekly by phone for a 1-hour
"lesson session", and are encouraged to participate in two
additional 1-hour open-forum style discussions (also by phone)
concerning that week's theme and/or assignments.
Contact us» for more information
or review available and upcoming
teleseminars» being offered by
Leader's Edge CA.
|
|
|
Alternatively, individuals can
contact us»
about joining a coaching group
(meeting either face-to-face or in a teleforum format) —
where the topics for coaching discussion are usually set by the
participants rather than the coach.
Benefit(s):
The most significant benefit of this approach is that individual
participant challenges and topics of interest get more focused and
specific attention.
How it works:
Participants meet at least once weekly (depending on group need)
either face-to-face or by phone for a 1-hour group coaching session.
Participants submit specific questions or scenarios at least 24 hours
in advance of each session to allow the coach and participants to
prepare for (think about) the upcoming discussion. The coach
facilitates the discussion and offers mentoring tips as needed, but
other participants can also chime in with observations and suggestions.
The coach also reserves a portion of time in each session to address one or
more "just in time" coaching needs of the participants.
The Techie Leadership Coach, Yvonne T. Ryan, facilitates
a 40-minte weekly teleforum-based group coaching session (free to
participants who must register in advance) called
Beyond the Cubicle». Worth checking out
even if you can't participate every week!
Contact us» for more information.
|
In either case, ideas are shared, mutually beneficial relationships
are often formed, and the group dynamic provides a level of support among
participants that tends to grow over time. If you're seeking timely advice
at a moderate investment, group coaching may be a viable option.
Interested?
Contact us»
You'll be glad you did!
|
