Coaching Circles

A Coaching Circle is a small cohort that meet with a coach on a regular cadence to build relationships while discussing challenges, leadership development opportunities, and practicing concepts introduced in the group. A Circle is also a space where members can get support or coaching on any challenges they are facing from each other.

The Why

Company, organization, or industry boundaries can make it difficult to connect with others, learn new perspectives, and to feel supported in our learning and growth. A Circle breaks down those barriers, eliminates the power gradients we might experience with learning within our organizations, and allows us to meet new people outside of our immediate surroundings.

A Circle is fun, purpose-driven, interactive and creates a lasting connection and community with participants.

The participants are fully supported by and receive encouragement from a coach and their peers, as well as professional insight, methodologies and a framework for every step of the way.

The How

A Circle is supported and facilitated by me, a trained and certified coach.

Some characteristics/behaviors you can expect to see in a Circle:

• Vulnerability without the fear of needing to know the answers.
• Curiosity without needing to give the answers to others.
• Respectful candidness over artificial harmony.
• Growth mindset (“what is possible?”) and open to possibilities.
• Most importantly, lasting and meaningful relationships (that last well beyond sessions)

Structure of a Circle

Session 1: Getting to know each other. Circle members and coach(es) introduce themselves, share what they are hoping to get out of the Circle. By the end of session 1, the Circle will have a set of shared agreements and a set of goals that members are hoping to get out of participating.

Sessions 2+: Supporting, coaching, and learning from each other. Each session will begin with participants sharing their progress or insights between previous sessions and choose a topic to explore for the current session.

Each session is participant-led, with support from a coach. Throughout the discussion, a coach will help participants reframe challenges that arise to see them in a new light, as indications of your opportunities for continued growth. A coach will help participants to identify blind spots and overcome obstacles.

Sessions can leverage different formats based on the needs of the Circle. Some examples are:

• a group discussion with topics chosen by the Circle
• peer coaching or coaching practice
• practicing a new topic, framework, or concept together

The total number of live sessions supported by a coach will be determined by the group; although the intention is a circle can continue to support and learn from each other indefinitely.