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Effective Group Coaching: Tried and Tested Tools and Resources for Optimum Coaching Results
Group coaching is rapidly becoming the preferred coaching option for businesses and individuals. Effective Group Coaching is a practical, resource rich, hands-on guide for the group coaching facilitator in one of the fastest growing new disciplines. Organizations, community groups and individuals are discovering that group coaching is an exciting and sustainable model and process for learning and growth. Written for internal and external coaches, HR professionals, trainers and facilitators wanting to expand their work into this area, this book provides tested methodologies and tools and tips. Both new and seasoned coaches will find the book a practical roadmap and go-to guide when designing, implementing and marketing their own group coaching programs. Case studies highlight how group coaching programs are being delivered globally through corporate and public prgrams, virtually and in person. Also, the author's dedicated web site offers resources and articles available for downloading.
- GenresProfessional Development
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 22, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 7, 2021
Authoritative and practical, but outdated. This is or at least has been *the* gold standard in group coaching, but although I found certain elements to be useful to my professional training, I was put off by many aspects of the book that appeared to be outdated and drafty (typos and incomplete sentences). Although the edition I purchased was published in 2010, the way it talks about digital technology has the feel of the late 90s or early 2000s.
Thumbs up:
- The introductory discussion of group coaching, and the spectrum between group coaching, seminars, and facilitation. Most group coaching is not pure coaching and falls somewhere along this spectrum. It is less vital that you stick to a pure coaching model, and more important to be aware of where you fall within the spectrum and to communicate which approach(es) you will be using to clients. As someone who envisions offering teachable content within the realm of group coaching, rather than having my programs strictly client-led, I found this freeing and insightful.
- Chapters 5 and 7, which gave some really practical lists and frameworks for how group coaching programs should be packaged in order to aid the client's journey through them. As someone who finds it easier to think about the actual topics/content/broad concepts a program will be centered around, I found it helpful to see really basic lists of what materials a client actually needs in order to make it through a program smoothly (everything from on-boarding materials like registration documents, to documents or materials for individual sessions, to what questions to ask on post-program evaluations).
- The discussion on experiential education (which broke down the process by which adults learn through experience) on page 56-58, as well as the discussion on group process. To me these helped demystify the different phases and stages in bringing a group together and how to leverage that group for individual client learning.
Thumbs down:
- Already mentioned how outdated many of the discussions felt. Examples: virtually no discussion of social media in any of the sections on marketing, content, or marketing funnels. To communicate with clients, the author suggests email and postcards. I found this bizarre and mind-boggling.
- Problems with graphics and diagrams - The graphics and quality of printing in the book had a cheap and primitive, Microsoft Paintbrush vibe, but worse: did not always match the content. The diagram of the experiential education cycle on p. 56 had arrows facing in the opposite direction as what was described in the accompanying text. Table 1.1 on p. 28 is featured before the text that explains it, and the text refers to the "following table" that was actually 2 pages back. Finally, not all the tables and diagrams had titles or were represented on the list of tables and diagrams in the beginning, making them difficult to reference or understand how they actually fit into the book.
- This book is sold at textbook level prices - I paid nearly $60 for it. The content it provides is not nearly this valuable and while I did gain some insight, I probably would not purchase it again if I had the choice.
Thumbs up:
- The introductory discussion of group coaching, and the spectrum between group coaching, seminars, and facilitation. Most group coaching is not pure coaching and falls somewhere along this spectrum. It is less vital that you stick to a pure coaching model, and more important to be aware of where you fall within the spectrum and to communicate which approach(es) you will be using to clients. As someone who envisions offering teachable content within the realm of group coaching, rather than having my programs strictly client-led, I found this freeing and insightful.
- Chapters 5 and 7, which gave some really practical lists and frameworks for how group coaching programs should be packaged in order to aid the client's journey through them. As someone who finds it easier to think about the actual topics/content/broad concepts a program will be centered around, I found it helpful to see really basic lists of what materials a client actually needs in order to make it through a program smoothly (everything from on-boarding materials like registration documents, to documents or materials for individual sessions, to what questions to ask on post-program evaluations).
- The discussion on experiential education (which broke down the process by which adults learn through experience) on page 56-58, as well as the discussion on group process. To me these helped demystify the different phases and stages in bringing a group together and how to leverage that group for individual client learning.
Thumbs down:
- Already mentioned how outdated many of the discussions felt. Examples: virtually no discussion of social media in any of the sections on marketing, content, or marketing funnels. To communicate with clients, the author suggests email and postcards. I found this bizarre and mind-boggling.
- Problems with graphics and diagrams - The graphics and quality of printing in the book had a cheap and primitive, Microsoft Paintbrush vibe, but worse: did not always match the content. The diagram of the experiential education cycle on p. 56 had arrows facing in the opposite direction as what was described in the accompanying text. Table 1.1 on p. 28 is featured before the text that explains it, and the text refers to the "following table" that was actually 2 pages back. Finally, not all the tables and diagrams had titles or were represented on the list of tables and diagrams in the beginning, making them difficult to reference or understand how they actually fit into the book.
- This book is sold at textbook level prices - I paid nearly $60 for it. The content it provides is not nearly this valuable and while I did gain some insight, I probably would not purchase it again if I had the choice.
October 14, 2022
Jennifer Britton is one of my favorite writers on the subject of group coaching. She is clear, current, and her ideas can be implemented into your coaching practice.
I had the privilege of taking a group coaching course from Jennifer. I learned so much. But if you can't do that, this book will more than get you on the group coaching track.
Now one warning. Jennifer delivers a great deal of value in each of her books. You pay a premium price for her books compared to others, but she will deliver. This book is packed with a great deal of information. But the words are not wasted.
Finally, I am putting it on my I Hope to Reread Soon list.
Thanks, Jennifer for this great book. It has been a big help to me.
(Check out her podcast, Remote Pathways. This is an excellent podcast for those working remote.)
I had the privilege of taking a group coaching course from Jennifer. I learned so much. But if you can't do that, this book will more than get you on the group coaching track.
Now one warning. Jennifer delivers a great deal of value in each of her books. You pay a premium price for her books compared to others, but she will deliver. This book is packed with a great deal of information. But the words are not wasted.
Finally, I am putting it on my I Hope to Reread Soon list.
Thanks, Jennifer for this great book. It has been a big help to me.
(Check out her podcast, Remote Pathways. This is an excellent podcast for those working remote.)
April 16, 2024
Some of the content related to technology needs to be updated/modernized to the “Zoom era,” but overall a great read to learn what group coaching with detailed, step by step instructions for implementation.
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February 3, 2020This was a very helpful practical book that made group coaching a lot less intimidating. Would recommend this book as a how to and great guide to help you become a successful group leader.
December 27, 2012
Swashbooked, 10 minutes + discussion, Christmas 2012, with @ipreuss.
Why I picked it: Picked by Ilja. I bought it looking for practical info on running phone coaching groups, started it but never finished it - seemed too much focused on marketing and money. Still curious, though...
Notes:
In chapter 2: making the case for business coaching and business group coaching.
Huh? "Apply the 80-20 rule" (by removing 20% of your planned content) WRONG! Misapplication of 80-20! (sigh)
Topics.
* In person vs virtual
* Process tips
* Checklists
* Resources list (recommends "Facilitative Coaching" book, LOL)
* Technology
* Marketing
* Bla bla bla.
Lots of infrastructure how-to... But what I wanted to know is: what kinds of exercises are people doing with groups? How do they shape their program content?
Appendix: "Exercises, the backbone of any program" is hidden on p 228, perhaps the only 10 pages that address what I want to know. Applies individual coaching methods for groups. Now this might be useful.
On the discussion of how to coach in various Tuckman model phases: was interested, but found nothing new there, not helpful. This section included a sentence about taking "problem" individuals aside as an intervention. This was disturbing because language creates actions... and this language (and advice) leads in the wrong direction, in our opinion.
Found one useful reminder: debriefing using What, So What? and Now What?
Discussion:
Badly written, badly structured. Table of Contents not inspiring.
Real content consists of transcribed comments from other coaches.
Not about EFFECTIVE coaching... but about starting and running the group and program.
Full of infrastructure (checklists, technology, marketing) and little on how to create a program people just love.
Decision:
Ilja: throw it out.
Deb: Keep as reference book for inspiration on infrastructure questions when creating a group. Not sure how helpful it would be, though.
Why I picked it: Picked by Ilja. I bought it looking for practical info on running phone coaching groups, started it but never finished it - seemed too much focused on marketing and money. Still curious, though...
Notes:
In chapter 2: making the case for business coaching and business group coaching.
Huh? "Apply the 80-20 rule" (by removing 20% of your planned content) WRONG! Misapplication of 80-20! (sigh)
Topics.
* In person vs virtual
* Process tips
* Checklists
* Resources list (recommends "Facilitative Coaching" book, LOL)
* Technology
* Marketing
* Bla bla bla.
Lots of infrastructure how-to... But what I wanted to know is: what kinds of exercises are people doing with groups? How do they shape their program content?
Appendix: "Exercises, the backbone of any program" is hidden on p 228, perhaps the only 10 pages that address what I want to know. Applies individual coaching methods for groups. Now this might be useful.
On the discussion of how to coach in various Tuckman model phases: was interested, but found nothing new there, not helpful. This section included a sentence about taking "problem" individuals aside as an intervention. This was disturbing because language creates actions... and this language (and advice) leads in the wrong direction, in our opinion.
Found one useful reminder: debriefing using What, So What? and Now What?
Discussion:
Badly written, badly structured. Table of Contents not inspiring.
Real content consists of transcribed comments from other coaches.
Not about EFFECTIVE coaching... but about starting and running the group and program.
Full of infrastructure (checklists, technology, marketing) and little on how to create a program people just love.
Decision:
Ilja: throw it out.
Deb: Keep as reference book for inspiration on infrastructure questions when creating a group. Not sure how helpful it would be, though.
February 15, 2015
This book spells out well the nuts and bolts of starting a group coaching program. If you need help with planning a course, choosing formats, identifying client attributes, and what might happen during a session, dig in and start making a checklist. If you are a coach but haven't done much facilitation work, you'll need other resources to get started. If you're a facilitator and haven't done much coaching, you'll need other resources to get started. There are some good content checklists and reminders, but this book is about the basics of planning, marketing, and administrating as opposed to how to convey deep content and reflection in a group setting.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews