HOW TO CHOOSE: ONE-TO-ONE OR GROUP COACHING

We all need a little help every now and again. Sometimes, all the self-help videos, articles, books and lessons from past experiences simply aren’t enough. That’s where a coach may be an ideal solution. So, today, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions about one-to-one vs group coaching.

What do group and one-to-one coaching have in common?

Both group and one-to-one coaching are all about teaming up with someone to help you move forward, even if you’re not quite sure where you’re headed at first. While a coach doesn’t provide all the answers, they’ll ask thought-provoking questions that help uncover solutions. A coach will offer fresh perspectives, challenge your viewpoints, help you align your thoughts and feelings, act as an accountability partner, and celebrate your successes with you.

Why do people turn to coaching?

There are so many reasons why people turn to coaching every day. You might be feeling stuck and unable to find a path forward. Maybe you’re looking for more balance in your life. What about upgrading or developing new skills, preparing for a promotion, on-boarding at a new company, or launching a job search or career shift? Perhaps you have a big goal in mind but need clarity on some big decisions. Maybe you are feeling like you’re underutilized and have more to give. Or maybe you are contemplating the next phase in life like retirement, and you want a holistic approach to the emotional, social, lifestyle and health challenges that converge at once. Whatever the reason, coaching can help you find your path of transition.

Will you be better served by one-to-one or group coaching?

That is a personal decision as both one-to-one and group coaching are effective. Here are some things to consider:

One-to-One Coaching

• Each session is all about you and your challenges, allowing for deep conversations and insights to help you find solutions and address setbacks.
• While the overall number, flow, and cadence of the sessions are planned out during goal setting, there’s room for adjustments should your needs evolve.
• The coaching schedule is tailored to your availability and bandwidth to complete assignments in between sessions.
• One-to-one coaching doesn’t offer the opportunity to build new relationships or be inspired by members of a group.
• It might be a bigger investment in yourself.
• If you’re easily distracted, extremely busy, or less comfortable sharing in a group, one-to-one coaching might be a better fit.

Group Coaching

• Group coaching involves several individuals working on similar challenges for a set period. I limit my small, public group programs to about 10 people to ensure everyone gets to know each other. Private group programs, such as those sponsored by companies, are often capped at about 25 participants since they usually have more in common.
• Each session focuses on the group’s shared challenges, providing opportunities for participants to explore the nuances of their challenges and contribute to the conversation.
• The number, flow, cadence, and session topics are designed to cover key concepts while allowing room for group preferences.
• Group coaching encourages relationship building, collaboration, learning, and supporting group members.
• To get the most out of group coaching, complete assignments between sessions to add value to conversations and be open to both giving and receiving support.
• Valuable add-on one-to-one services, like check-ins, intake and wrap-up meetings can be paired with group coaching to identify individual challenges and next steps.
• If you’re comfortable sharing in a group, want to connect with and be inspired by others facing similar challenges, and wish to build relationships with new people, group coaching might be the right choice for you.

There you have it. Whether you choose one-to-one or group coaching, the most important thing is that with confidence you’ve taken steps to propel yourself forward. Remember, it’s all about finding what works best for you.

If you’ve ever worked with a coach, what are your thoughts and experiences? What’s worked best for you? Please do share your stories below or reach out directly as I’d love to hear from you. And let’s keep the conversation going. Next week we’ll circle back to the third phase of transition – New Beginnings!

Carol Bergeron guides people through major life transitions with a focus on self-reflection, visualization, and collaboration. She helps clients adapt to personal and professional changes, especially when shaping modern retirement lifestyles, which involve emotional, social, lifestyle, and health-related shifts converging all at once.

Learn more about navigating life’s transitions; explore upcoming small group coaching programs: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/bergeron-associates-13715940172#collections

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