This one-day workshop is designed for persons who want to learn the basis for and skills associated with peer coaching. While peer coaching is similar to other courses provided by Peer Resources in that it emphasizes skills and a framework for knowing and practicing, this course is based on and demonstrates the principles of mutuality and reciprocal interaction.
The course can also be of value to mentors who want to increase the use of coaching with those partners in a mentoring relationship.
In peer coaching, participants provide assistance to each other. While partners take turns acting as coach, there is no "client." There is no hierarchy. In fact, there is often no fee exchanged. The "currency" of this relationship is mutual support and assistance.
This workshop will examine the skills and attitudes that contribute to successful peer coaching and it will also examine those factors which interfere with or prohibit a peer coaching approach. In addition the workshop will provide details about why and when peer coaching makes sense and when other types of helping approaches are more suitable.
A considerable amount of this workshop will be devoted to opportunities to practice peer coaching. While the leader will provide some coaching and feedback to participants in order to help sharpen peer coaching skills, participants will be expected to work on and share real issues, challenges, or concerns with one another.
Peer coaching often takes place in a group setting and specific models or structures associated with peer coaching in groups will be demonstrated and practiced.
Persons will minimal or no coaching experience may find this course of value since it emphasizes and builds on the natural helping skills that peers typically use with each other in normal conversation. However, although examples of peer coaching in society will be described, there will be virtually no focus on other coaching issues, such as marketing or establishing a peer coaching practice.
Experienced coaches may find this workshop useful as a way to continue their professional development and strengthen their interactions with other professional coaches. Some of the techniques and materials provided will assist experienced coaches to implement a peer coaching model among their colleagues.
The seminar covers these topics:
- origins, rationale and models of peer coaching;
- how peer coaching differs from coaching and other forms of professional assistance;
- building on natural skills; aiding with sensible structures;
- skills needed for peer coaching;
- taking a peer relationship building stance
- the importance of feeback, disclosure, and sharing
- using peer coaching on a one-to-one basis;
- using peer coaching in a group setting;
- using peer coaching in business and other disciplines such as education, the law and other professional work; and
- generating a do's and don'ts list for peer coaches.
Workshop Format
Participants will work in groups and pairs with some lecture and discussion led by the course leader. The workshop relies strongly on interactive methods designed to maximize adult learning and model effective training.
Credit and Certification
This course qualifies as part of the Peer Coach certification system developed by Peer Resources.
Participants who attend a complete workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit is also available through the Canadian Counselling Association.
$1850.00+
$92.50 GST, if applicable
The fee for this workshop includes all instructional costs, resource materials, nutrition breaks, lunch, and post-session consultation (lodging not included).
Each of our workshop leaders is a certified Level III Coach Trainer. This system of certification is competency-based and each person who has been certified has had to submit a formal portfolio for assessment by the National Review Panel, a group of Level III coach trainer peers. Our leaders typically have extensive backgrounds in human development, personal coaching, adult learning, metaphysics, and consulting. They typically have established learning programs and services for major corporations, government agencies, educational institutions and public organizations and associations. All our seminar leaders are available for discussion regarding their courses.
Lodging Options
The dates for this seminar have not been confirmed. However, it is likely that the seminar will be held in the Student Union Building at the University of Victoria (map). Accommodation is available on-campus. Single rooms (shared bath) at the University are $47.50/night, including taxes and breakfast, or $55 for a twin bed room, or $160/nite for a four bedroom suite; limited private accommodation is also available on-campus at Craigdarroch House ($65/nite including breakfast). Call Housing Services at (250) 721-8396 for reservations. For other accommodation in Victoria, including B & B's and hotels close to the workshop, call Victoria Tourism at 1-800-663-3883 or visit their website at www.tourismvictoria.com. The workshop location is about 15 minutes from downtown hotels.
If this is the first course you will be taking from Peer Resources or you have not created a goal scale, then we encourage you to talk with one of our course coaches to identify professional goals, favored outcomes, potential strategies to achieve the outcomes, and personal measures of progress. This discussion will yield a practical chart used as a coaching tool. The fee for this service is $150.00.