Do’s and don’ts when using assessments in group coaching sessions
October 21, 2024
Assessments can be a powerful tool in all group coaching programs, whether an internal leadership group coaching program or a life coaching group coaching program.
Before you use assessments to enhance your group coaching sessions, here are some important considerations.
DO:
- Reflect on your goal in using this tool. Why are your bringing it in? What will it validate or surface for the group? How will you communicate this to the group?
- Ensure you check in on and mitigate any resistance to using assessment tools - some of your group members may have had the negative experience of being “boxed in” after taking an assessment.
- Only use assessments you are well-versed in. Ensure you’ve trained in this tool and are prepared to share the science behind it or answer any questions that might come up.
The above will allow you to create psychological safety, credibility and buy-in when your group members debrief together.
DON'T:
- Make it a one-off thing! Assessments are a wonderful tool to create self-awareness. Refer to the results often, encouraging group members to reflect on how they see their result show up or if they see a change in themselves from the intentional work they are doing with you.
- Be “assessment happy”. Choose one and focus on deepening the participants’ understanding of themselves through it .
- Let participants develop a fixed mindset from their results. E.g. “Well, I’m a [ASSESSMENT RESULT], so that’s what I do… Instead, make sure to support them to expand their thinking, doing, and most importantly, being.
The above will ensure the assessment results are used to create deep transformation within your participants.
Remember, assessments can be a wonderful vehicle for reframing. They can offer perspective, trigger curiosity, appreciation and gratitude, self-awareness, self-compassion. They are truly an outstanding tool for effective group coaching program… When they are used wisely!
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