117: Why Teaching Is Stunting Your Group Coaching Students From Success
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Today - we have an especially thrilling topic on hand; why training is actually more advantageous than teaching for your students in group coaching. We'll talk about how one can make this transition, what are some of the big differences between them, and more.
When I was in fifth grade, our teacher taught us how to take notes and the lesson has stuck with me all these years. This is something many young women have learned - that having the right planner, folder (Anyone remember Lisa Frank?), or other tools would make them feel better and give them a sense of control over their lives. Even today it's still an idea that resonates strongly within us.
I'm sure we've all been there before. We think that if we could just find the right tool, everything would fall into place and our productivity levels would be through the roof! That's exactly how I felt when I discovered this new thing - it was like a beacon of hope in an otherwise chaotic world. Once I had something to rely on, tackling the hard stuff suddenly seemed much more manageable; motivating myself became easy because now there was finally something waiting for me at the end of every session.
Less is More
I'm sharing this story because it made me ponder the role of coaches in providing education within their group coaching programs. At times, we can get a bit carried away with wanting to give our clients more and more when less could be just as valuable.
Whenever I provide them with packages that include almost anything they desire, or something stunningly beautiful and unique, it's as if a virtual vault of resources is being thrown at their feet. If you are curious about why those A to Z programs don't work, listen to my podcast episode on the topic.
However, we are inadvertently reinforcing this notion that all our problems will be solved if only we had access to more and more things. We may have outgrown the Lisa Frank stuff since childhood, but now as coaches offering group coaching programs, it sometimes seems like we're simply giving into the same old impulse: throwing everything at our clients instead of guiding them through a tailored journey for growth.
We can't expect our clients to make informed decisions by just staring at a bunch of modules, right? I've discussed extensively the needs and differences between adult learners compared with children. Therefore, we should provide guidance but also give them space for autonomy in their learning journey so they can take full advantage of all that is on offer.
Experiential Learning
What adult learners must be given above all else is experience. We're talking about experiential learning, and it's not just for adults; in schools today, we're beginning to see more of this method being utilized. Show your students what you want them to learn – then give them the opportunity to test their knowledge right away! Experiential learning has proven itself time and again as an effective teaching tool that will benefit everyone involved.
Adults require stimulating experiences. When we provide someone a list of items or tasks to complete, it can bring back that special feeling from childhood- the sense of accomplishment when everything is finished.
It's always satisfying to tackle the simple tasks first, isn't it? When you're looking at a lengthy list of things that need to be done, it can become overwhelming. So what do we tend to do when presented with this kind of situation? We start off by completing quick and easy items first; even if there are more important or time-sensitive tasks that call for our attention right away. For example, if your task list contains "Take a shower" alongside "Message five potential clients", you'll likely opt to take the shower before messaging anyone - despite how quickly those messages could get sent out!
By doing this I believe we often cover up the actual work that needs to be done because it can be intimidating. As coaches, we don't want to immediately expose our clients to difficult situations without proper support and guidance.
Create Understanding
When it comes to your group coaching program, I implore you to focus on training. Demonstrate the concept as clearly and comprehensively as possible and be sure that everyone in the group has a deep understanding of it before moving forward.
Then, have them quickly practice what they've learned. You can use this knowledge to create a group coaching program where your clients learn the material and then teach it back. That's the core of any successful group coaching program! I believe many coaches miss an important aspect: having other participants in their groups.
With this approach, we can truly benefit from the others in our group and help each other grow. Your clients will be able to take what they've learned from you, apply it themselves, and then teach back the same concept with their own spin on how they put things into practice. That way everyone gets a chance to learn new skills as well as show off theirs!
By having your people teach back what they've learned, you can easily identify any potential gaps in their knowledge. This is an invaluable learning tool as it will help them to build and hone their skillset instead of simply relying on modules that need to be watched or studied. It ensures lasting understanding rather than just temporary information absorption.
We aren't a traditional school nor do we offer certification programs. Instead, we serve as facilitators to help our students reach their desired destination and gain the skills they need in order to succeed on their own. Many of them have been struggling for far too long; it's time for us to intervene and give them the guidance necessary so that they can overcome those obstacles!
It's not just you and your modules that will provide them with the support they need -- it must come from their peers in the group as well. If we don't take this into account, then we're only making things more difficult for ourselves. So how can you leverage everyone within the group to help mentor each individual? Don’t simply teach or hand out information; instead create ways for every person to learn independently through personal exploration.
Have a Roadmap
After making the decision to hire a curriculum specialist, I was fortunate enough to know someone who fit the bill - my friend from a mastermind I had been in. Working with her taught me valuable lessons about not having an explicit roadmap when it comes to educational programs; that way your program participants can still learn and grow even without you around. It's immensely important for their development!
When a group coaching client needs guidance on the next steps to take, it is essential for them to assess their progress with a map and evaluate where they are. Here, you can help by suggesting which route might be best based on what you observe from your "map."
This is the essence of training - not just providing information about certain modules like we have in teaching. In today’s digital age, knowledge only gets us so far and technology continues to progress at such an accelerated rate; hence why it is crucial for us to equip ourselves with proper training on how best to utilize these tools optimally.
Your Current Offer Isn't a Dumpster Fire
I know for sure that what you already have does not need to be torn down, thrown into the dumpster, and set on fire. We just need to rebuild it, right? We just need to tweak it every so often. Make a list of all the things you took away from this as it relates to your group coaching program, and make a plan to visit it once a month to check ONE thing off. I can’t wait to hear how your clients will benefit from these shifts inside your group coaching program!
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