Team coaching is a very demanding activity. It is increasingly the norm that team coaches work in pairs. The benefits of doing so include:

  • Sharing the parallel tasks of facilitating the group and observing the group dynamics.
  • Each coach has frequent breaks from intense engagement with the team, so they remain fresh.
  • Being able to step in when a colleague is stuck (for example, pointing out a group dynamic and asking the team what they would like to do about it).
  • More effective debriefs than when one coach reflects on their own.

In choosing a co-coach, it is helpful to look for someone with complementary skills and personality. You can learn a lot from each other and they will observe things you do not.

The Role of the “Back of Room” Coach

When you are the “back of room” coach, you can add value to the process by taking notes – for example:

  • Interesting words or phrases used by the team.
  • Interactions between group members (you may want to represent these as a diagram).
  • Ideas for new exercises.
  • Feedback for your coach colleague.

Demonstrating Effective Teamwork

As a team of two, you can also role model being an effective team. Share notes and brief each other at coffee breaks. Demonstrate the skills of listening, supporting creative thinking, and giving feedback to each other.

However, in giving feedback to each other, be careful not to give the team the impression you are in disagreement or disarray. Practical experience here indicates that the team needs to feel confident that you know exactly what you are doing. Share the fact that you have a team development plan, but not what is in it, as again, this may undermine the team’s confidence in you.

© David Clutterbuck, 2015