The Coaching Conversations Program
In the Coaching Conversations Program we bring coaching skills and a coaching mindset into the way you relate to and lead other people. You will learn what is different about a coaching approach and how/when to have a coaching conversation. Working one-to-one with an ICF-Registered Mentor Coach, and participating in small group coaching sessions with your peers (led by an ICF-Certified Coach), you will be supported to develop and embed coaching skills.
“The Coaching Conversations Program provided an excellent opportunity to develop deeper active listening skills and build confidence in developing productive and meaningful conversations with colleagues.”
“A fantastic model and broader philosophy on coaching others as a leader.”
“Time to bounce ideas with Julie and peers. Very practical initial workshop that provided time for us to practice using the coaching questions. Really appreciated the ongoing readings and links to resources to continue to build our understanding. Having the 1:1 sessions with Julie helped with keeping accountable so that the coaching doesn’t ‘drop off’ the radar’.”
What is a 'Coaching Culture'
There are many definitions of a ‘coaching culture’, but here is one that appeared in Coaching: International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice: It’s a culture where employees and managers all take a similar approach (coaching) to develop and interact with others—one where they prioritize helping other people grow in the context of work.
According to ICF research assessing hundreds of organizations, it’s one where:
- All employees in the organization have an equal opportunity to get professional coaching.
- The organization uses internal coaches and external coaches.
- Managers use coaching skills.
- It’s valued across the organisation.
- It has a dedicated budget.
The ripple effect starts with individual behaviour changes, encouraged by internal or external coaches or by managers, that help them become better at applying their coaching skills.
Anyone can help create a coaching culture inside their organisation if they work to develop and practice these skills with others. These core coaching skills are developed in the Coaching Conversations for Leaders program.
Philosophy
To provide a supportive and collaborative environment for leaders to undertake professional development that generates a lasting impact on both the individuals involved and the organisations they lead, in terms of skill enhancement and the creation of sustainable learning communities.
Sample Structure (over a full year)
One-Day Workshop
February
Full day face-to-face workshop for up to 18 people.
To teach skills and build confidence to hold a coaching conversation and know when coaching is the right approach to take.
Read more about the full-day Coaching Conversations Workshop.
Small Group Coaching
Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct
60-minute group coaching sessions, in small groups of 5-6.
Working with an ICF Credentialed Coach, these sessions focus on the real-life application of coaching skills.
The opportunity to learn from peers and the collective wisdom of the group is often what people find valuable about group coaching.
Read more about small group coaching.
1:1 Mentor Coaching
Mar/May/Jul
30-minute 1:1 virtual mentor coaching sessions.
Each participant will work 1:1 with an ICF-Accredited Mentor Coach, to develop coaching skill, celebrate success, and explore challenges.
Your mentor coach will help you sharpen your skills and develop your coaching capability.
Accountability Buddy
Ongoing
Self-paced coaching practice with a peer coach.
Participants will be required to make personal commitments to action, experiment between sessions & reflect continuously.
Working together, they will share and hold each other accountable.
Delivery
- The program will normally run over a period of 6-10 months. The structure above is an example only.
- Up to 18 participants can be registered for the Coaching Conversations Program.
- For face-to-face delivery, the venue is to be organised by the client, noting that a well-chosen venue can enhance the experience.
- The full-day workshop will be scheduled in consultation with the organisation for a date that suits the group.
- 6 participants will be allocated to each small group. A smaller group size guarantees participants a high degree of interaction, and individual attention.
- Small group coaching sessions will be scheduled in consultation with the organisation for dates/times that suit the group.
- Pre-work and other supporting resources will be provided throughout the program.
- To maintain participant confidentiality, small group coaching sessions are not recorded.
- Small group coaching sessions can be delivered virtually (via Zoom) or face-to-face.
Small Group Coaching Approach
These small group coaching programs provide an opportunity for participants to normalise their experience and learn from the collective wisdom of the group. Coaching uses an action learning approach and at the end of each session participants will be asked to clarify the action or experiment to which they are committed. As part of the program design, between sessions, participants will be encouraged to experiment with new tools and behaviours.
Feedback from Participants
~ Program Participants 2023 ~
“Purposeful, reflective, supportive, capacity building.”
“It’s something that has truly benefitted my
headspace, particularly in how we acknowledge time as a resource, investing that time into our interactions and avoiding ‘false rescues’.”
“The fact that the approach has not been to jam more and more content into the sessions, but to give time to continuing the same thinking has been valuable in embedding the way of being as a coach.
The whole approach has been respectful of what people bring.”
“I felt I came into these sessions with little knowledge about coaching and what it involves. It has been valuable for me as I feel I have developed some strategies around questioning and listening.”
“How the techniques we had been shown and encouraged to trial supported individuals to reflect on their thoughts, behaviours, and actions, helping them gain insight into themselves and their decision-making.”
I am dedicated to unlocking the potential of individuals and teams.
My commitment is to ensure you get the most out of the time and money you invest.
