One cohort of our Taking Coaches Further programme met in different circumstances this week. It’s often the case when programmes come to an end that delegates say we must keep in touch, usually small pockets do so. What interests me is the whole cohort have made this happen, gathering together to continue their development journey.

I’m curious what is it about this group that they have made an ongoing commitment to each other. During the programme they met four times for two-day residential workshops over a twelve-month period. Already advanced coaches they were eager to continue to deepen and hone their coaching practice, but the programme came with a warning, only come on if you are prepared to ‘do the work’ on yourself too.

From the start the group jumped into that space, psychological safety built very quickly and they worked at maintaining it. When there was a wobble, they lent into the vulnerability with curiosity and care. Our patterns of contact, often out of our awareness, were gently passed under the microscope. We encouraged individuals to explore why they reacted differently to others. What was it that had triggered them to react in a certain way yet others didn’t appear to be triggered.  

From a tutor perspective what was lovely was that we didn’t always have to ask the coaching questions, as advanced coaches themselves, they were often posing the questions to each other. You would hear “What’s going on for you right now?” or “Is that a familiar response?” There was a high level of challenge within the group but balanced with an equal if not greater level of support.

In this world of increasing virtual contact we thought hard about the residential nature of the workshops. From a purely practical point it adds cost. However, hearing the conversations taking place in the evening, the group were really getting to know each other on a different level. There was laughter and tears.

Over the programme all of the group including the tutors have transitioned through life’s ups and downs, some through health troubles, others through relationship challenges, whilst others made career changing decisions.  As coaches we spend lots of time making space for others, here was our opportunity to step into the coaching space for ourselves and, as we know, that can be life changing.

So, its fabulous and interesting to see the group meet again following completion of the programme. I notice our role as tutors is changing as the group becomes more co-facilitated, sharing responsibility for content. Topics this time ranged from team coaching to vertical development with space made for an EI Lab. With comments like “life enhancing”, “deep reflections, laughter and learning” I think this group will be meeting again.