If you think group coaching is all about the economies of coaching six to eight people in a single session, then you are missing the point. Coaching a group is all about the group – that is, the dynamics of the group are what can make this coaching format great.

Mix or Match, but Make It Work

There are three elements to constructing your group for successful group coaching. First, look for common interests. Second, look for a balance of expertise. Finally, look for a mix of positive energies.

Nothing Common about Common Interests

There are many things that can establish common interests. For example, members of the same network marketing business have a common interest. Members of the same profession have a common interest. People of the same age or same nationality. People with the same handicap, disease or height. Or people who all hate or are hated by the same enemy all. All of these have common interests. The key is not to limit the group by your own limited thinking. Try letting the group define the common interest.

Expertise Can Be Balanced by Diversity or by Sameness

People may join a group to be with people who are of the same expertise. They may find comfort in knowing that they are all in it together, as they explore and expand their horizons. On the other hand, people may come to a group looking for complementary expertise. An accountant may join a group composed of a lawyer, a marketeer, a sales person, and an HR specialist – all of whom are hoping that an accountant will finally join their coaching group.

Positive Energy Is the Single Most Critical Element in Successful Group Coaching

There is nothing that can kill a group or your success with group coaching faster than introducing negative “can’t-do” energy into the group you are coaching. This may be the single most critical thing you must manage as you assemble your coaching group. In some cases, you may have to block the entry of someone who might seem to have every other reason to be there. In other cases, you may have to engineer the exit of a current member of the group. In either case, deftly executing this maneuver my just be your most important skill in doing successful group coaching.

Hope you took some great value out of this post today! I’d love to hear your feedback, so make sure you leave a comment with your thoughts or questions. And also, you can click on the Twitter button below to retweet this article… Thank you!

Dave Iuppa
JTS Advisors Strategy and Accountability Coach