The Power of Tribes

We often experience coaching with managers in one-on-one situations. While these sessions can have incredible impact, the success of any coachee can also be measured by the success of their relationships with others. Group coaching offers a unique opportunity for employees of an organization to grow through the coaching process and develop their relationships with co-workers simultaneously.

It may be as true today as it was in primitive times: Humans are safer in numbers and so form tribes with those closest to us to protect ourselves. The difference is that in present day we usually referring to emotional safety versus physical. Being involved in group coaching allows us to satisfy this need and form bonds with people who have experienced the same or similar things to us. It makes us feel safer knowing we are not on our own and there are others like us.

Group coaching has the power of linking people together, allowing individuals to learn from those they wouldn’t have necessarily learned from otherwise. It allows people to see their life from another’s perspective. Getting together with others often achieves a greater impact on our learning and growing because we can see ourselves in the people around us. Talking to others about a problem we may be facing allows us to recognize another perspective because we are experiencing it outside of ourselves. Observing the wisdom and insights of others is often more powerful than any prescription or piece of advice.

Not only is group coaching a safe place where people can share, but it is a good chance for people to practice their public speaking. It allows people the chance to summarize and present a narrative in a way that people will want to hear. Individuals are learning transferable skills throughout the experience itself. It also gives people a place where they can practice their active listening and support skills – things which are invaluable not just in a professional capacity but personally, too.

From a management perspective, group coaching is an effective way to help all members of a team at any one point. By establishing a coaching culture, your staff know they can go to others, relieving the manager as the sole point of contact. It is also cost effective, as it saves you time and money associated with organizing several different one-to-one coaching sessions.