Blog Bite: What Is Guided Team/Group Coaching?

Both Team coaching and Group coaching are fantastic and super effective.  However, there is a drawback.  Coaching works best when the client has data inside of them, and the coach can help draw out that information in a plain, easy-to-act-on manner.

But what happens when the client lacks the expertise?  

Typically, a coach might help the client wrestle out how they can get expertise.  Then other topics are discussed for the rest of the coaching session.

But sometimes, clients are super busy.  Some clients are not sure which knowledge sources to trust.  Some don’t like to read or research.  And some may be really new to leadership and don’t have a basis for knowing what information will work for them.

When that happens, Guided Team Coaching (GTC) or Guided Group Coaching (GGC) is a great solution.

The way the GTC/GCC process works is: a team/group decides what topic they want to discuss.  If the coach has expertise on that subject or knows how to get to expert sources, the coach puts the information together and sends the team/group an article of highlights ahead of the next session to stimulate ideas.  Then, all participants can come in and follow standard group coaching techniques.

In other words, the team doesn’t need the expertise; they’ll get the data prior to the session.

If the team/group is short on time and can’t prepare beforehand, a coach can synthesize the information into short paragraphs that the team/group reads in the coaching session.  Then the coach will use questions to draw out what was just read, new ideas are inspired from those facts, and the group follows standard coaching techniques in order to support problem-solving and positive action.

GTC and GGC are great tools to both boost learning and application at the same time.

Chew On This:

  • In what areas do you not have expert-level knowledge?  What could GTC/GCC do for those areas?

Ryan C. Bailey & Associates is an organizational effectiveness firm focused on equipping leaders to develop in-demand high-performing teams to increase the health and effectiveness of the greater organization.

*This blog is an amalgamation of a few different clients.  No client is being singled out.