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The Ultimate Guide to Successful Group Coaching: Tips, Strategies, and Best Practices
June 1, 2023
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August 6, 2024
I’m a coach with years of experience, and let me tell you, I’ve tried all sorts of coaching methods. After all that experimenting, I can say that if you get it right, it can greatly boost your income and client outcomes.
In this article, you’ll learn all about group coaching—what it is, why it’s awesome, and how you can make it work for you and your clients just like it did for me.
We’ll look at different ways to run your sessions and share easy tips to make them more fun and effective.
Whether you’re just starting out or want to get better, this guide will help you get the most out of group coaching.
In Brief: Key Takeaways about Group Coaching
- 👥 What is Group Coaching: A coach works with a small group sharing common goals, fostering mutual support and accountability.
- 🎉 Benefits of Group Coaching: Coaches save time, help more clients, and build communities. Clients gain peer support, new ideas, and networking opportunities.
- ⚠️ Challenges of Group Coaching: Managing dynamics, varying commitment levels, keeping focus, ensuring confidentiality, balancing feedback, time management, and assessing progress.
- 🔧 Crafting Your Group Coaching Program: Choose a model (Membership, Cohort, Course-Based), structure sessions (topics, duration, frequency), and plan for effective execution.
- ✅ Tips for Successful Group Coaching: Regular Q&A, private communities, fostering accountability, having an assistant, using breakout rooms, and capping participants enhance the coaching experience.
The Basics of Group Coaching
Group coaching is a form of coaching where a coach works with a small group of clients who have similar goals. This creates a friendly and interactive space where everyone benefits from the coach’s knowledge and each other’s experiences.
Key characteristics of group coaching:
- Shared Goals: Group members often aim for similar outcomes. For example, improving leadership skills or managing stress.
- Interactive Sessions: Members engage with the coach and each other through discussions, activities, and exercises.
- Facilitated Discussions: The coach guides the conversation and activities to ensure productive sessions.
- Mutual Accountability: Group members support and hold each other accountable for their progress.
How Group Coaching is Different from One-on-One Coaching
Both forms of coaching are about helping people grow, but they have their own unique flavors. Let’s break it down:
| Aspect | Group Coaching | One-on-One Coaching |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction | Involves multiple participants interacting with each other | Interaction is solely between the coach and one client |
| Focus | General focus on common goals and shared experiences | Specific focus on the individual client’s personal goals and needs |
| Support System | Participants can support and learn from each other | The coach is the only one who offers support. |
| Privacy | Lower level of privacy due to the group setting | High level of privacy as sessions are one-on-one |
In short, group coaching offers a collaborative learning environment with peer support, while one-on-one coaching provides individualized, focused guidance tailored to each client.
Let’s say you’re coaching a group of entrepreneurs. In group coaching, each member shares their business challenges and successes, creating a rich tapestry of experiences and insights that everyone can learn from.
On the flip side, in one-on-one coaching, you dive deep into a single entrepreneur’s business. You focus exclusively on their specific challenges and goals, providing highly personalized guidance.
How Group Coaching is Different from Team Coaching
Group coaching and team coaching share similarities but serve different purposes:
| Aspect | Group Coaching | One-on-One Coaching |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Clients with common goals but not part of a formal team | Members of an existing team with shared objectives |
| Goals | Personal or professional development | Focus on building stronger working relationships and aligning team efforts. |
| Structure | Loosely connected clients | Structured team with defined roles |
| Ideal Clients | People with mutual issues or interests. | People within an organization, such as a workplace or a family unit. |
For example, group coaching might involve a group of people wanting to improve their public speaking skills, whereas team coaching would involve a department within a company aiming to improve collaboration and productivity.
Common Formats of Group Coaching
Each format has its perks, so choose what fits your style and your clients’ needs best. For me, I found online coaching to be more accessible so that I can reach my audience around the world
- In-person: These are your classic physical meetings at a specific location. It allows for face-to-face interaction and deeper connections.
- Online: Conducted via video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Skype. This offers more flexibility and convenience.
- Hybrid: Combines in-person and online sessions. It provides the benefits of both formats.
For me, online coaching is a game-changer. It’s super accessible and lets me reach clients from all over the world.
I can connect with a global audience and offer flexible sessions that fit everyone’s schedule. Plus, it’s convenient for both me and my clients, making the whole coaching experience smoother and more efficient.
Typical Group Sizes and Session Lengths
The size of your group and the length of your sessions can greatly impact the dynamics and outcomes.
Let’s look at how they stack up:
Group Sizes
| Group Size | Advantages | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Small (3-6 members) | Allows for detailed discussions and more individual attention. | Intensive coaching, personal goal setting |
| Medium (7-15 members) | Balances interaction and diverse ideas. | Skill-building, general group discussions |
| Large (15+ members) | Offers many ideas but less personal interaction. | Workshops, seminars, and broader topic coverage |
Session Length
| Session Length | Description |
|---|---|
| Short (30-60 minutes) | Quick check-ins, focused topics, and regular updates |
| Medium (60-90 minutes) | In-depth discussions, exercises, and interactive activities |
| Long (90-120 minutes) | Workshops, comprehensive training, and deep dives into complex topics |
My preferred setup: In my Mastermind course, I use a combination of long simultaneous sessions for workshops where I guide coaches on how to create their coaching business online. These are followed by a set of small check-ins to ensure they are on track with their homework and addressing their needs.
Benefits of Group Coaching
A study in “Groupwork”[1] looked into group-based life coaching and found that participants in these structured group coaching sessions reported a big boost in happiness and life satisfaction.
Why? Because these sessions create a supportive, goal-oriented environment where everyone lifts each other up.
But the benefits of group coaching don’t stop there!
For Coaches
- Save Time: You can coach several clients at once, making the best use of your time.
- Help More People: Reach and support more clients than with one-on-one sessions.
- Develop Skills: Improve your ability to lead and manage group sessions.
- Earn More: Group sessions can be more profitable. You can charge less per person while earning more overall.
- Build Community: Create a sense of belonging and support among your clients. This provide the clients with a better experience
For Your Clients
- Peer Support: Clients get encouragement and motivation from others in the group.
- New Ideas: Hearing different viewpoints helps clients learn and grow.
- Affordable: Group coaching costs less than one-on-one coaching.
- Networking: Clients can make valuable connections and build relationships.
- Shared Learning: Clients learn together, sharing tips and resources.
Challenges of Group Coaching
- Managing Group Dynamics: Balancing different personalities and ensuring everyone participates and feels included.
- Varying Commitment Levels: Participants have different levels of commitment and engagement, impacting the group’s overall progress.
- Keeping Focus: It’s hard to keep discussions on track and relevant with many participants.
- Confidentiality Concerns: Maintaining confidentiality and creating a safe space for sharing sensitive information is more complex in a group.
- Balancing Feedback: Giving fair and helpful feedback to everyone without showing favoritism is challenging.
- Time Management: Covering all necessary topics and ensuring everyone gets to contribute within the time limits is difficult.
- Assessing Progress: Tracking each person’s progress and ensuring they meet their goals within the group can be complex.
Crafting your Group Coaching Program
Creating a successful group coaching program involves planning and structuring it effectively.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand the different aspects and popular models of group coaching programs.
Group Coaching Models
There are several models you can choose from to deliver your group coaching program.
Let’s explore the most popular ones.
1. Membership Model – My Recommendation
The membership model is like the gift that keeps on giving. Participants pay a recurring fee to access the coaching program, and it’s fantastic for both continuous learning and providing a steady income stream.
How it works:
- Members pay a monthly or annual fee
- They get access to regular coaching sessions, resources, and a community of peers
- Ideal for long-term growth and development
I use this model in my program because it’s just that good.
In my program, Launch Accelerator, you get access to resources to build a six-figure coaching business at your own pace. There’s a monthly fee that covers group coaching sessions, Q&A sessions, and workshops. Plus, you get access to communities where you can connect with other coaches.
I explain more about why the membership model is the way to go in the video below. Trust me, it’s worth a watch.
2. Cohort Model
This model requires participants to act as a team. In the cohort model, a group of participants starts and finishes the program together.
It’s excellent for building a sense of community and shared progress.
How it works:
- A new group (cohort) starts the program at the same time
- They go through a set curriculum together
- Once the program ends, a new cohort begins
My other program, Mastermind, follows this model. A group of aspiring coaches starts a 3-month program together, attending scheduled sessions and completing assignments as a team. It’s like a mini boot camp where everyone’s rooting for each other.
3. Course-Based Model
Also known as the program model, this is a structured approach where the coaching follows a set curriculum, much like a traditional course.
How it works:
- Participants sign up for a specific course with a defined start and end date
- The program follows a syllabus with predetermined topics and activities
- Ideal for skill-specific coaching
Imagine a public speaking coaching program where participants enroll in a 10-week course. Each week, they learn different aspects of public speaking, from speech writing to delivery techniques. It’s structured, comprehensive, and results-driven.
Structuring Your Group Coaching Program
When structuring your group coaching program, you need to consider three main factors:
- Topics: What subjects will you cover? Your topics should align with the needs and interests of your group. For example, if you’re coaching on personal development, your topics could include goal setting, time management, and overcoming obstacles.
- Duration: How long will each session be? Think about what fits best with your audience’s schedule. I suggest you range them from 60 to 90 minutes.
- Frequency: How often will you meet? This could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency helps in building momentum and engagement.
How to Conduct a Group Coaching Session – A Checklist
Now, let’s make this practical. Take a moment to think about the group coaching program you want to create. Write down:
- The main topics you will cover
- The duration of each session
- The frequency of the sessions
- Which model you would like to use
Once you’ve written and finalized these details, use the checklist below to fine-tune your coaching session:
Tips for Successful Group Coaching
Based on my past 15 years of experience with group coaching, here are some tips that can help you run successful sessions. These tips are practical and easy to follow, even if you’re new to coaching groups.
#1. Weekly or Biweekly Q&A
Regular Q&A sessions help keep the group engaged and informed. Whether it’s weekly or biweekly, these sessions give everyone a chance to ask questions and get the answers they need. It’s also a great way to address common concerns and provide additional value to your coaching.
My Pro Tip: Poll the Group
Before the Q&A, use a poll to see which topics or questions are most popular. This will ensure that the session is relevant and engaging for everyone.
#2. Private Community / Online Forums
Creating a private online community or forum for your group allows members to connect, share expertise, and ask questions outside of the coaching sessions. This builds a sense of camaraderie and support.
I prefer to engage with my clients in my invite-only Skool community and Facebook group, where your coaches discuss their progress, share resources, and encourage each other.
#3. Foster Accountability
Accountability is key to group coaching. Encourage participants to set goals and check in on their progress regularly. This can be done through regular updates in the forum or during the sessions.
My Pro Tip: Accountability Workshop
I hold accountability workshops in my programs once a month. Once you hold someone accountable, things happen faster. And pushes them to take proactive actions.
#4. Have Someone to Assist You
Having an assistant can make a big difference. They can manage technical issues, handle comments and questions, provide additional resources if needed, and ensure the session runs smoothly.
I always have someone around in my coaching sessions. It helps me stay focused on coaching while they make sure all other concerns are addressed.
#5. Use Breakout Rooms
Breakout rooms are great for addressing specific topics or giving individual attention to participants. They help avoid the feeling of a webinar and make the session more interactive.
If different participants have different needs, you can split them into breakout rooms based on their specific goals or challenges.
My Pro Tip: Small Group Discussions
Use breakout rooms for small group discussions on specific topics. Rotate participants into different rooms to encourage networking and diverse perspectives.
#6. Cap the Number of Participants
Keeping your group to a manageable size, like 20 people, allows you to balance individual attention and group activities effectively.
But remember, the ideal cap really depends on the format of your coaching and your ability to engage with the group.
Don’t go too big too quickly. Test and adjust as you grow to ensure that your approach still works. What works for smaller groups might not work for larger ones.
I found that I needed to change my format when I moved from smaller groups to bigger ones. Keep an eye on what needs tweaking as your group size changes.
As you start thinking about your own group coaching sessions, it’s important to have the right tools and resources to ensure your success.
That’s where we come in.
Our program is designed to help coaches like you build a six-figure coaching business from scratch. With access to group coaching sessions, Q&A sessions, workshops, and a supportive community, you’ll have everything you need to thrive.
Conclusion
Group coaching is a great way to help more people and create a supportive, friendly group. You can work with more clients at once, improve your coaching skills, and help build a strong community.
Think about how you can use the tips and ideas we’ve shared in your own sessions.
What challenges do you think you might face?
What works for you? What are your biggest challenges?
We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Resources
ICF Case Study
In case you want to know the science behind group coaching, ICF shared a study on it by SA O’Conner[2].
In this study, they noted that participants enjoyed connecting with colleagues and understanding shared challenges better. They reported improved collaboration, communication, and goal clarity.
However, they also pointed out areas needing improvement: clearer goals, better preparation, structured processes, and stronger program sponsorship.
This study was conducted by interviewing 27 participants and 4 coaches, focusing on preparation, goal setting, group processes, logistics, and workplace impact.
Books
If you love diving into books to expand your coaching knowledge, check out my article on some top reads on group coaching.
References
- Style, C., & Boniwell, I. (2012). The effect of group-based life coaching on happiness and well-being. Groupwork, 20(3), 51-72. https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v20i3.708
- O’Connor, S. A., Studholme, I., & Grant, A. M. (2017). Group coaching in a large complex organisation: Lessons learnt from experience. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 15(2), 1-16. https://researchportal.coachingfederation.org/Document/Pdf/3237.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is Group Coaching?
Group coaching is when a coach helps a small group of people who have similar goals. The coach guides discussions and activities to help everyone reach their goals together.
What is the Purpose of Group Coaching?
The main purpose of group coaching is to use the support and knowledge of the group to help everyone achieve their goals. It builds a sense of community, encourages learning from each other, and provides different viewpoints.
What are the Methods of Group Coaching?
There are several ways to organize group coaching:
1. Membership Model: Participants join and pay a regular fee for ongoing coaching and access to resources.
2. Cohort Model: A group of participants starts and finishes the coaching program together, usually over a set period.
3. Course-Based Model/Program Model: Participants follow a structured course or program with specific topics and activities.
How to Structure a Group Coaching Session?
A typical group coaching session includes:
1. Introduction: Briefly explain the plan and goals for the session.
2. Check-In: Let participants share updates or progress since the last session.
3. Main Content: Present the main topic or activity for the session.
4. Discussion: Facilitate a group discussion or use breakout sessions for deeper conversations.
5. Q&A: Answer any questions from participants.
6. Wrap-Up: Summarize key points and outline next steps or homework.
This structure helps keep your group coaching sessions organized, engaging, and effective.
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