Introduction to Group Coaching
Dr. Howard Hendricks often said during his long career of developing future leaders, “Training without coaching is a waste of time”.
We all have been through many types of training yet would acknowledge the lack of lasting results. Many companies and organizations invest time and finances to “train” employees only to experience low ROI and disengaged employees.
Research confirms the truth of what Dr. Hendricks was fond of saying. In the article Leadership is a Contact Sport, Marshall Goldsmith and Howard Morgan share some interesting research about the impact of the “Follow-up Factor” and the impact on professional change.
The bottom line of the research says that when an employee has no follow up after training there is zero perceived change in that employee. In contrast, when there is consistent or periodic follow-up there is the highest percent change. So for companies to get the best return on investment for training, there must be consistent follow-up. The best way for this to happen is through group coaching and laser coaching.
Benefits of Group Coaching
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in virtual on-going learning through Masterminds, On-line classes, and Group Coaching. A study featured in Public Personnel Management Journal reports that managers that underwent a managerial training program showed an increased productivity of 22.4%. However, a second group was provided coaching following the training process and their productivity increased by 88%.
Here are some of the main benefits leaders are experiencing:
Camaraderie of continuing learning which follows up the live training.
Learning in community can bring rich insights from many adult learners rather than just the “sage on the stage”.
Creates a safe and supportive environment to practice new skills and try out new ideas.
Convenience of receiving the training where you are.
Affordability for the company providing the training to employees without paying for coach/consultant to travel.
Affordability for the participants without having to pay for travel, lodging and food.
Format of Group Coaching
The format that we will be using is based on the COACH Model developed by Dr. Keith Webb. The five phases of group coaching provide helpful guardrails to guide the discussion yet is flexible to adapt to the needs of the group.
Connect
Purpose: Build rapport and trust. Review previous action steps.
Check in with group members
Ask for progress on action steps
Create accountability to the group
Outcome
Purpose: Set the group agenda for the conversation.
Introduce focus and result for session
Ask each group member what they want to take away from the group coaching session
Awareness
Purpose: Encourage discovery, insights and shifts in perspective.
Invite group members to ask questions of one another
Facilitate a conversation of curiosity and discovery
Course
Purpose: Capture insights and put them into 2-3 actionable steps.
Ask for individual action steps from each group member
Give assignment for next session
Highlights
Purpose: Ask the group members to reflect
Review the learning
Let each member share one laser highlight
Preparation
Before each group coaching session, you will use this prep form to help you prepare. This helpful tool will allow us to focus and maximize the coaching session to help you and the group reach the desired outcomes.
What progress have you made on your action steps from the last training/group session?
What challenges or opportunities are you facing now?
What do you want to work on during our group coaching session?
What result would you like to take away from our session?
Group Coaching Tips and Etiquette
For our Group Coaching we will be using a video conference service. This technology is easy and fun to use so we can make the most of our time. To make sure we have a strong start, please review these reminders.
Please ensure that you are in a quiet place and free from distractions if possible. We ask that you turn off other devices and close programs so that you are able to be fully present with our group.
For our group coaching, it is ideal to use a desktop or laptop computer if at all possible rather than an iPad or iPhone.
Please click on the link one minute before we start. The first time, you may have to enter the password you use to login to your computer.
Group Coaching Etiquette
Come with a teachable attitude.
Please keep your comments brief so we can have maximum participation.
If you are an extrovert, please give others a chance to speak up.
If you are an introvert, speak up so we can hear your helpful contributions.
It is best to keep yourself on mute till you want to speak.
Be aware of background noise: typing, clicking, rustling of papers, etc. We can hear it if you are live.
Please do not use this group coaching time for individual communication on chat feature.
Be fully engaged without brain multi-switching (multitasking is impossible).