Group Coaching Uncovered: A Peek Behind the Scenes

Ever wondered what really happens inside a group coaching session? 🤔

Let’s take a peek behind the scenes 🕵🏻‍♀️

What most people don’t see is the preparation that happens long before a group coaching session begins. Whether it’s a single intervention or a five-month program, the structure behind it remains surprisingly consistent.

One approach I’ve found especially useful and flexible is the Collective Shift Group Coaching Methodology. Of course, if you search on Google or with different AI tools, you’ll find plenty of frameworks to explore. The key is to choose one that fits your style and your participants’ needs.

From my experience, there are two essential things to have in place before starting a group coaching program:

1. A solid education in coaching 🎓 - without it, it’s easy to fall into what I call the facilitation gap - where your intervention starts looking more like a workshop than a coaching session.

2. Minimum facilitation skills 🤝 - you’ll be working with a group of people from diverse backgrounds, each bringing different perspectives, needs, and even psychological “masks.” Having basic facilitation skills will help you navigate group dynamics smoothly and keep the space safe and productive.

So, how do you actually make a group coaching session work in practice?

Here are a few tips & tricks that have completely shifted my perspective on facilitating them.

One of the most important elements is bonding. And that starts from the very beginning - right from the moment the coach says “Hello and welcome.” This is when the relationship between the coach and the participants begins to take shape. It’s also when we break the ice and get to know each other.

Here’s something I find quite powerful: I never start with people’s professional titles. I honestly don’t care about that in this context - I care about the person who said “Yes” to the session. In my experience, many participants find it challenging to share something personal about themselves at first. That’s why I use Points of You cards, or any other tools that help spark self-expression and make sharing easier.

Always - absolutely always - I bring in the element of confidentiality, sensitivity, and vulnerability, whether I’m delivering a session inside an organization or in an open setting. Even if participants already know each other, this step is essential.

Why? Because it offers a sense of relief. It reassures people that this is a safe space, where they can share openly without fear of judgment or consequences. This is how psychological safety is created - something the ICF (International Coaching Federation) refers to as “Establishes and Maintains Agreements.”

When participants feel safe, real conversations begin to happen, deeper insights emerge, and the coaching process truly works its magic.

Another key perspective is personal goals. The topic might seem predefined - say, self-leadership - but for each participant, that concept means something different. That’s why I always invite everyone to define their own personal goal.

Here’s the question I love to ask:“What makes this topic important for you, right now?”

It’s a question I often use in 1:1 coaching as well, because it instantly brings the client into the present moment and connects them with what they truly want to explore.

Another key aspect is the group dynamic. This covers everything from activities you choose to the way the group interacts. There are several factors worth paying close attention to:

• Group size – Too small and you might lack diverse perspectives; too large and individual voices can get lost.

• Session format – Online and offline sessions each have their own rhythm, opportunities, and challenges.

• Pace and flow – Balance structure with flexibility to keep energy high without rushing the process.

• Length of the session – Long enough to go deep, short enough to maintain focus.

• Roles and relationships – Be aware of existing connections or hierarchies that could influence participation.

• Energy among participants – Notice the emotional tone and adjust your facilitation accordingly.

• Diversity and inclusion – Create space where every perspective is welcome and valued.

• Environmental factors – Minimize distractions, ensure access to necessary materials or tools, and set up a space that supports engagement.

Managing these elements well helps the group feel both supported and challenged.

In the Collective Shift methodology, we call Conscious Expansion the crucial step where participants share reflections, deepen awareness, and experience shifts in perspective as part of the group dynamic.

At this stage, it’s important not to rush into action but to pause and stay with the experience a little longer. This is the maturity phase - a moment for thoughtful reflection. Some powerful questions we use here include:

• “What was this experience really about for you?”

• “What did the experience confirm for you?”

• “What new insights did it bring?”

• “What did it bring to the surface for you?”

These questions invite participants to explore what the experience meant to them personally and professionally: who they were in that moment, which familiar patterns they brought along, and what new understandings emerged.

Next, we gently challenge participants to “call the adult” and face the future, moving intentionally from reflection into forward movement with questions like:

• “What do you want to do with this?”

This encourages each participant to integrate the experience fully, making it their best resource for growth and change.

Finally, the Transformation stage is where we move toward concrete action - the planning and commitment phase that turns potential into reality through a personalized action plan.

Group coaching is much more than just a meeting—it’s a carefully crafted journey that blends preparation, connection, reflection, and transformation. When done well, it creates a powerful container where individuals grow personally and professionally, teams align, and leaders inspire change.

After all, real growth happens in the space where people feel safe, heard, and challenged to stretch beyond their comfort zones. And that’s exactly what group coaching offers.