“Team coaching supervision is a collaborative and reflective process aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of team coaches. It provides a structured framework for coaches to explore and develop their skills in working with teams, including addressing team dynamics, refining coaching methodologies, and ensuring the wellbeing of both the coach and the teams they work with.”
Specific to team coaches, it involves a similar process but focuses on the unique dynamics and complexities of working with teams. It supports team coaches in enhancing their effectiveness and addressing challenges unique to team coaching.
The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) defines supervision for team coaching within the context of their broader supervision framework. Similar to the above, but with a particular focus on the skills, strategies, and reflective practices specific to team coaching. It involves exploring team dynamics, addressing group challenges, and refining team coaching methodologies.
Both definitions emphasize the importance of reflective practice, professional growth, and addressing the specific complexities associated with coaching teams.
Professional Development: It provides coaches with opportunities to reflect on their practice, receive feedback, and continuously improve their skills and effectiveness.
Enhanced Effectiveness: By addressing challenges and exploring new strategies, coaches can enhance their ability to facilitate positive change within teams.
Increased Self-Awareness: Supervision encourages coaches to examine their own beliefs, biases, and behaviors, leading to greater self-awareness and more effective coaching interventions.
Support for Challenging Situations: Supervision provides a safe space for coaches to discuss difficult cases or challenging team dynamics, helping them navigate these situations more effectively.
Quality Assurance: It ensures that coaching practices align with ethical standards and best practices, enhancing the quality of coaching provided to teams.
Team Performance Improvement: Through the coach’s enhanced skills and insights gained from supervision, teams can experience improved communication, collaboration, and performance.
Personal Wellbeing: Supervision supports coaches in managing the emotional demands of their work, reducing burnout and promoting their overall wellbeing.
Organizational Impact: By improving the effectiveness of team coaches, supervision can have a positive impact on the overall culture and performance of organizations.
There are several models of team coaching supervision that coaches can use to structure their sessions and approach.
CLEAR Model: This model, developed by Peter Hawkins, stands for Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action, and Review. It provides a structured framework for team coaches to ensure that they cover all essential aspects of supervision.
7-Eyed Model: This model, developed by Peter Hawkins and Robin Shohet, focuses on seven perspectives: the client system, the individual team members, the team as a whole, the coach’s interventions, the coach-client relationship, the supervisor’s interventions, and the wider context. It helps coaches to consider multiple viewpoints in their supervision.
GROW Model: While primarily known as a coaching model, GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) can also be adapted for supervision. It helps coaches to set goals for their supervision sessions, assess the current reality, explore options for action, and commit to specific steps.
Integrated Developmental Model (IDM): This model, developed by Otto Laske, focuses on the cognitive complexity of individuals and teams. It helps coaches to understand the developmental stage of the team and tailor their interventions accordingly.
Systemic Constellations: This approach, based on Bert Hellinger’s work, views teams as systems with hidden dynamics and loyalties. It uses constellations to uncover these hidden dynamics and explore new perspectives for the team.
Reflective Frameworks: These frameworks, such as the Gibbs Reflective Cycle or Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, help coaches to reflect on their practice and learn from their experiences in team coaching supervision.
Each of these models offers a different perspective on team coaching supervision and can be used based on the coach’s preferences and the needs of the team.