Narrative Navigators-Narrative Coach Practitioners

Huge thanks to everyone who joined last week’s Group Coaching Session hosted by LJ for the ICF Gulf Coast!

Big love to Danlye for being a question-catching ninja in the chat, to Nea for bravely letting me demo the start of a session with her, and to Maria for being her delightfully bold and hilarious self (never change, please).

I know a few more of you were there too—and I’m genuinely grateful for your presence at these kinds of events. When you all show up, the world gets a sneak peek at just how cool, clever, and ridiculously talented you are.

Honestly, it just confirms what we already know: LJ is beyond lucky to have you in the crew.

Thanks for being you.

Nea sent me a list of really great questions we couldn't possibly cover in the session. I'm pasting her questions and the answers below. FYI-JULY 12th we will have a two hour session on group coaching. It will go more in-depth than what was presented at ICF Gulf Coast.

Group Coaching FAQs

Q: Does everyone need to agree on both a group goal and an individual goal in every coaching session, or is a shared intention set only during the initial session?

A: At the start, it’s essential that the group reaches a shared understanding of the overall purpose and vision. Each person’s individual intention should align with and feel connected to that collective goal. This ensures that whether the focus shifts between group-wide or individual work during different sessions, everyone still feels engaged and invested.

·      While some sessions may lean more heavily on collective goals, the process will naturally move toward individual accountability and action. Even if a session isn’t explicitly centered on personal goal-setting, each participant will be expected to identify a takeaway or action step that aligns with their personal leadership intention.

·      So, while a formal individual goal may not be required every time, personal ownership and contribution will always be part of the process.

Q: How do we establish everything you mentioned—rituals, agreements, etc.—and what does that first session look like?

A: Great question! We recommend handling this as a pre-session rather than trying to squeeze it into the first official coaching session.

Here are a few reasons:

• It sets the tone. A dedicated pre-session gives the group space to build excitement, establish commitment, and begin forming connections before diving into the work.

• It builds trust early. It’s a chance for participants to meet each other in a low-pressure setting, which helps everyone settle in and feel more at ease once sessions officially begin.

• It creates shared clarity. This is where we lay the groundwork—co-creating rituals, setting agreements, and clarifying expectations—so that everyone feels aligned and engaged from the start.

This way, when the first coaching session rolls around, we’re not rushing through logistics—we’re ready to roll with intention, connection, and momentum.

Q: What occurs when group members are at different stages, and how do you, as the coach, navigate that situation? What constitutes effective versus ineffective coaching in that context?

A: People will always be at different stages—it's the nature of any group process. The key is not to eliminate those differences but to navigate them skillfully.

This is where distinguishing between individual goals and the collective goal becomes essential. A group may share an overarching intention, but each member's relationship to that intention—and their readiness to act on it—will vary. That’s not a flaw; it’s a feature.

One powerful way to surface and honor those differences is through tools like Doorway to the Future. While everyone may agree they want to get to “the other side of the door,” inviting each person to visualize, draw, or describe where they are in the process creates space for honest self-reflection—without judgment. It allows members to externalize their experience ("Here's where my drawing shows me") rather than label themselves (“I’m stuck”). That separation can lower vulnerability and open up deeper exploration.

Effective coaching in this context means:

• Normalizing different stages of growth rather than expecting uniform progress

• Creating psychological safety by removing the "us vs. them" dynamic

• Focusing on collective curiosity rather than forced consensus

• Encouraging members to explore their path while still staying connected to the group's shared intention

If a common direction is needed, the coach can invite the group to choose where they feel the most collective energy in the moment:

• Reflecting on where they’ve been?

• Processing where they are now?

• Or envisioning where they want to go?

If individual paths are welcomed within the group structure, then the session can allow for rotating spotlights—where different members are coached at different times, each exploring their unique trajectory, while others witness and draw insights that support their own journey.

Ineffective coaching, on the other hand, tries to force uniformity—creating pressure for everyone to be “at the same place” or move at the same pace, which can lead to comparison, disengagement, or resistance.

In short: the coach’s role is not to herd everyone into a single mindset but to orchestrate exploration in a way that honors each person’s path while still reinforcing the group’s shared “what brought us here?”

Q: What happens when individuals have varying needs or experiences, and what techniques can keep everyone connected?

A: In any group, you can count on one thing: people will bring a range of needs, experiences, and speeds of growth. That’s not a problem—it’s a powerful part of the process. But it also requires clear boundaries and intentional design to keep everyone engaged and moving forward.

Here’s how to keep the group connected while honoring those differences:

1. Set expectations early with a pre-meeting.

Use a pre-session to lay the foundation. Let participants know upfront that group learning isn’t linear. There will be moments when they feel ahead of the pack and other times when they feel like they’re treading water while others sprint ahead. That’s normal.Frame the experience as a fishbowl—they’ll be observing, reflecting, and learning not just from being coached, but also from watching others navigate their own journey.

2. Treat varying needs as both a benefit and a boundary.

Differences create perspective. Encourage participants to mine insights from others’ stories while staying anchored in their own. But also be mindful—what supports one person may not serve the whole group. Keep adjusting your approach to meet the collective pulse.

3. Keep everyone swimming.

Your role as coach is to offer a variety of ways to engage:

• Group-wide coaching

• One-on-one spot coaching

• Breakouts with reflective prompts

• Creative tools and frameworks

• Questions that swirl the room and spark individual insights

You're not handing them the answer—you're stirring the waters until each person finds the stroke that works for them.

4. Balance focus and flow.

Yes, some individuals will need more support than others—but be careful not to let one person dominate the space. The magic is in shared growth. When someone needs extra attention, find ways to bring the group into the reflection, so the learning stays communal.

Ultimately, great group coaching isn’t about keeping everyone on the same page—it’s about keeping them in the same story, each discovering their part in it.

Q. Can you provide good examples of how to 'invite' group coaching that doesn't emphasize outcomes, considering that marketing often focuses on problems or outcomes?  

A. Frame the invitation around shared growth, fresh perspectives, and collective wisdom rather than individual achievements.

·      “The best insights often come from the stories we share. Join a group of like-minded explorers in a coaching space where new perspectives, fresh ideas, and unexpected wisdom emerge.”

·      “Think of this as a creative lab for leadership, self-discovery, and connection—where the best ideas are sparked through conversation, not conclusions.”

Q. How much time is required, and what is the ideal group size?  

A. 1.5 hours/session, 6-14 people-if more than 14 ICF will not count it as group coaching