Group coaching is another important part of MTD coaching. This is a chance for the resident to connect with other residents going through the same process. Group coaching should provide encouragement and accountability for each of your residents. It will hopefully be an encouraging time as the residents express questions/concerns, discovering others who have had the same experience or even had an experience that answers a question. Having a group coaching call will provide an extra measure of accountability because each resident will report their numbers verbally to the rest of the group (connection attempts, hours worked, appointments, new partners, etc.).
There are several options for facilitating a group call. You are welcome to utilize one that works well for you and for your coachees. Please try to find something that fits everyone. Here are a few options that work well:
Google Chat: Since Reliant uses Google to host email services, every Reliant email is a Google-connected account. If you set up a video call, you can invite each person into it. This can be good for creating a more intimate feel and increases accountability, as you’ll be able to see one another. Here is how to set up a chat with other people.
Zoom Video: another great accessible video tool that can be used by anyone for free. The main limitation is that you can only host a 40-minute meeting before you would need a second one.
Pros: With a free account, it is easy to make and send meetings with the link embedded
Facilitator: You will create an outline for the call and facilitate discussion. This will be important to keep the call flowing and not have a lot of people talk at the same time. As you facilitate, keep in mind that you will not be the one to answer every question. Give time and space for the residents to encourage each other, and only step in when necessary.
Moderator: Allow the residents to answer each other, but there will be times you will need to moderate the discussion. This could be bringing the discussion back on point if it veers off-topic, correcting false statements, or just providing a good closing statement.
Encourager: Be ready to encourage and then step back. If discussion begins to slow and nobody is speaking up, it will be good for you to call on a specific resident and encourage them to share. You will know a lot more about each resident than anyone else on the call. One of the residents might be having trouble with the names ask, and nobody responds to his question about that topic. You know Ronda Resident is very good at asking for names, but since she is not speaking up, you will step in and encourage Ronda Resident. “Hey guys, I know Ronda has done an incredible job at asking for names. She has gone from 100 names to 150 in just one month. Ronda, would you mind sharing your experience with names asking?”
Once again, it will be important for you to create an agenda for each of the group coaching calls. Most calls will follow a basic agenda:
2 minutes after the start time, I ask someone to open us in prayer, then we get started. Don’t wait for people to arrive late. That will just encourage them to be late in the future.
Give the agenda for today’s meeting: Today, we will…
Around the Room” Numbers
Everyone gives their numbers for the week: # of Connection Attempts, # of Appointments Kept, # of follow-up calls, % to goal on Toolbox, and an MTD activity you did this week that you’re proud of.
Once “Around the Room - Numbers” is over, celebrate the Superstars of the Week: Focus on performance numbers, not results. So highlight the person that had the most connection attempts, kept the most appointments, etc.)
“Around the Room” Q&A
Go around the circle again and, one by one, let each person ask a question about MTD. Encourage each person to bring a question to the group and encourage the group to answer each other’s questions. You’re there to add to their answers (if needed) and facilitate the conversation. Be sure to ask your own questions! You’re raising support too. Remind them to come to the call ready with a question to ask!
Discussion Topic
I usually ask ahead of time if a group member will lead us in a discussion. Although, you’ll want to model this for the first few group meetings to give them an idea of what it looks like. Some discussion topics are listed below.
Pray for each other
This is a chance to ask how each person is doing/what they’re wrestling with this week. Some people will thrive in this time of vulnerability.
So, each call will begin with reporting numbers, Q&A, and then a group discussion topic. As we noted above, you will begin by providing the topic and facilitating group discussion, but the hope is that some of your residents will have a chance to do this as well. Here are some good discussion topic ideas: