According to the International Coaching Federation, coach supervision is a reflective process designed to enhance your coaching competence and ensure you are providing the best quality coaching you can. It has three main functions:
- normative (exploring ethical challenges),
- developmental (supporting coaches in improving their practice), and
- supportive (promoting personal well-being).
Group coaching supervision, a form of supervision that involves a group of coaches working together with a trained supervisor (that’s me), offers a platform for reflection on their coaching practice, learning from each other, and receiving feedback and support.
Here are some benefits of joining a group coaching supervision:
- Peer Learning: Group coaching supervision offers an opportunity for coaches to learn from each other and build a small community in a profession that can be lonely. Coaches can share experiences, insights, and challenges, gaining perspectives and approaches from others. This can help broaden their perspectives, develop new skills, normalise experiences, and improve their coaching practice.
- Enhanced Self-Awareness: Through group reflection, coaches gain deeper insights into their own coaching styles, strengths, and areas for improvement. The feedback and observations from peers offer a mirror for self-discovery and growth.
- Feedback and Support: Coaches receive constructive feedback and support from their peers and the coaching supervisor in group coaching supervision. This can help coaches identify strengths, find development opportunities, enhance coaching skills, build confidence, and ensure self-care.
- Demonstration of Ethical Practice: A growing number of organisations purchasing coaching services, require coaches to engage in active supervision. Coaches often are asked to have their supervisors sign off on active supervision. This ensures that the coaches hired have someone to talk through any arising issues. Participation in a supervision group can satisfy this requirement.
- Systemic Lens: Working with a coaching supervisor supports coaches to take a more systemic approach to supporting their clients. The group format ensures more voices from the system are represented.
- Community and Connection: Coaching can be an isolating profession. Group supervision creates a sense of community and connection among participants. The shared journey builds trust, camaraderie, and a network of support that extends beyond the supervision sessions.
- Skill Development: Group supervision provides a platform to hone coaching skills collectively. Participants can practice new techniques, receive constructive feedback, and experiment with different approaches in a safe and supportive environment.
- Increased Accountability: The group structure encourages accountability as coaches set goals and commit to implementing insights gained from supervision. Knowing that peers are there to offer support and follow-up enhances commitment to personal and professional development.
Joining a coaching supervision group can be an excellent way to meet ethical and professional standards. It can also provide a supportive environment for coaches to learn, grow, and develop their skills. By joining a coaching supervision group, coaches can gain access to a diverse range of perspectives, feedback, and input, which can help them to improve their coaching practice and ensure that they are providing high-quality services to their clients.
You can find further information about and join a supervision group I’m running here.