Is group coaching right for you?

Whilst working 1:1 with a coach is an impactful experience, there are times when that isn’t the right option for you. Sometimes what you need is a variety of perspectives and connections. You may have budget constraints; a group setting can make coaching support more cost-effective. Either way, you may be on the cusp of deciding about career development support but want to understand which is the best option for you. Today, I’m going to share the benefits and help you decide if group coaching is right for you.

I will be sharing my thought on this topic from two viewpoints; a coach who offers facilitated group coaching workshops, and an individual that has taken part in this approach. You will get the unique perspective of both viewpoints, which I hope will help you get a rounded and fair insight into how it can benefit you.

Group Facilitation, as a great way of delivering coaching, is a growing sector, and we are starting to see the research supporting the anecdotal feedback on how, and why, it works. It is something that I have found useful in my personal and professional development over the past 20 years; sometimes a qualification I have undertaken has utilised a group coaching approach to help problem-solve, reflect, and learn! Many coaches have developed their practice to enable them to reach as many people as possible – in fact, I have group coaching workshops as part of my support too. From workshops on values, well-being, resilience and return to work, all of these contribute to the development of individuals, and the change of a culture to one of wellbeing!

If you wish, please dig deep into the academic evidence around the power of group coaching.
Today, however, I want to share with you the things I have witnessed as a Coach when I run Group Coaching Sessions, as well as experienced as a participant!

Discover the six benefits of group coaching:

It builds a network.
Sometimes the group approach encourages like-minded people from different sectors, other times, sectors it enables collaborations with colleagues you don’t usually get to meet. Either way, this enables you to build a network of people with (often) shared values. This is especially true for group coaching around a similar issue, such as returning to work after parental leave, where this network can continue after the session and develop into peer networks.

It creates new ways of thinking. 
As we have read previously in Rebel Ideas (the book review is here), there is a power to bring people together from different backgrounds and experiences. This diversity of thought can help reframe, expand ideas, and create a new perspective. Participants are encouraged to self-reflect, and share, in ways that aren’t always possible in other settings.

It can suit your budget.
Most group coaching – from one workshop to a programme – will have a lower per-person price point than one-to-one coaching. This means that for individuals and organisations, the budget can spread a little further.

Diary Management is easier.
Whilst group coaching may not be as flexible as 1:1, where it’s only you and the coach who need to match timings, a group coaching programme can enable you to plan your diary further in advance with dates and times. Experience also shows me people are more likely to work our priorities around this commitment, rather than postpone a session, due to the number of people involved!

It focuses the brain.
I have found over the years that my group coaching content has been created based on the common issues and goals that arise in sessions. Often, people identify with the purpose of a group coaching session and feel more comfortable taking part in that setting, that has the “spotlight” on them in a 1:1. Whilst there are lots of areas that can benefit from 1:1 coaching, if you struggling to verbalise which aims you have, a group coaching setting can help you work through your personal development, without to create the framework of goals yourself first. Many people prefer this led approach.

It’s still flexible!
Despite the group feel of a coaching session or programme, it doesn’t mean that individual needs, aims or issues can’t be discussed – I find as both a participant and facilitator that the “people in the room” guide and develop the content, based and their needs at that time. Whilst the framework of a wellbeing session may be set, the people in the room and the conversations we have will change what the group is coached on, somewhat. I regularly deliver the same workshop to groups with a slightly different lens – parent, student, manager, – and find that each time, something new is uncovered (as well as my coaching toolkit being fully unpacked!)

What do you think, does the concept of a group coaching programme suit you, or your team, more? Unsurprisingly, I have various in-house options that can be developed to suit your needs. I also have limited externally run online sessions that anyone can book. Just keep an eye on my event link to find the next date.

I’d love to read your thoughts. Have you taken part in group coaching? Why was it the right thing for you? Come over to Creating Careers to Enjoy and let me know your thoughts.

If you would like to speak more about my support, and the budget you have available, then book a call here.