The Ultimate Guide to Group Life Coaching: Activities & Examples

Life coaching is a mutual partnership between you, as a life coach, and your client that is rooted in trust and understanding, where the final objective is to support & guide your client on the path of self-discovery and realization of their true capabilities. 

However, one-on-one life coaching can have its limitations for you as a life coach, especially if you are looking to scale up your business and find your calendar overbooked. The group life coaching model offers a viable alternative whereby you can reach a larger number of clients who have a common objective, thus increasing your earning potential. 

Group life coaching can also be beneficial to your clients as they can connect with like-minded individuals, benefit from collective wisdom and experiences, and receive & give support to help find collective solutions to challenges. 

Here’s your ultimate guide to group life coaching, its benefits, how it differs from individual life coaching, how to structure group life coaching sessions that produce definitive results, and more.

What is Group Life Coaching? 

Group coaching, or specifically group life coaching, is more about creating collective energy that enables self-discovery within a group of people with similar goals, resulting in action-based plans. It helps bring down walls between those individuals so that the group, on the whole, can have access to shared ideas, knowledge, passion and wisdom. All is done in a safe environment where the privacy of each individual is respected.

For you, the coach, group life coaching is about tapping into the relationships & interactions that happen not just between you and your clients but also between the group of individuals being coached and the positive momentum it can generate to motivate your clients to work towards their individual goals. 

So, is team coaching the same as group life coaching? Not really, as team coaching involves a group of members, usually within the same organization, all being coached with a common organizational goal in mind. But with group life coaching, all the individuals have their own challenges to face and objectives to pursue even though they might be tied into a common larger outlook and are a part of a collective coaching process. 

Difference Between Group Life Coaching & Personal Life Coaching

Let’s understand the difference between group life coaching and personal life coaching. 

Aspects	Group Life Coaching	Personal LIfe Coaching
Structure	More structured with predefined topics and schedules.	Highly flexible, adapting to individual needs and session flow.
Focus	Broad, addressing common goals of the group.	Personalized, tailored to the individual’s unique goals and challenges.
Interaction	Peer interaction and group discussions are central.	Direct one-on-one engagement between the coach and client.
Personalization	Limited, as sessions cater to multiple participants.	High level of customization based on the client’s requirements.
Scalability	Can accommodate multiple clients at once, making it more scalable.	Limited to one client per session, restricting the number of clients a coach can handle.
Support system	Your clients gain support from peers, creating a sense of community.	Sole reliance on the coach for guidance and accountability.
Pace of learning	Group progresses together, which may not align with individual learning speeds.	The pace is set based on the client’s progress and needs.
Cost	More affordable since expenses are distributed among multiple participants.	Higher cost due to personalized attention and exclusivity.
Depth of exploration	Limited due to time constraints and group dynamics.	Deep, tailored exploration of challenges and goals.
Accountability	Peer accountability is a significant motivator.	Relies on self-discipline with direct accountability to the coach.
Recruitment effort	Requires marketing to fill group slots, making it more challenging.	Easier to onboard clients individually.
Scheduling	Requires coordination among multiple participants, which can be challenging.	Flexible, based on individual availability.
Program length & commitment	Usually follows a fixed duration and schedule.	Can be adjusted based on the client’s evolving needs.
Best for	Those looking for community, shared learning, and a structured approach.	Individuals needing deep, personal attention and customized coaching.

Now that you understand the key differences between group and personal life coaching, let’s explore how group coaching can benefit both you and your participants.

Benefits of Group Life Coaching 

As a coach, group life coaching lets you tap into collective wisdom, shared experiences, and mutual support, helping your clients achieve their goals faster. By boosting open communication and collaboration, you create an environment that benefits everyone. With a group size of up to 15, you can explore diverse topics like career growth, work-life balance, and health, all while expanding your reach and impact. 

a. Benefits for the coach 

• Wider client reach thus, you can work with more than one client at a time
• Better utilization of time, skills, and resources 
• Cost-effective to run a group life coaching program 
• A more reasonably priced option that helps increase client volume 
• Substantially increases the earning potential for coach than in one-on-one coaching
• Variety of clients – you can choose your clients randomly or select a group of people in a particular segment with common interests & objectives 
• Possibility of your clients upgrading to engage your services as their personal coach 

b. Benefits for the client 

• The chance to benefit from the collective knowledge & energy of the group
• Open-minded approach toward giving and receiving support 
• Opportunity to share problems in a safe environment with contemporaries who may be going through similar challenges
• More space and time to reflect & incorporate gained insights via the set coaching framework 
• Brainstorm with peers to come up with a collective solution for an individual problem
• Increased motivation and boost in positivity that can be reflected in day-to-day activities 
• Understanding and accepting responsibility for set tasks to achieve goals 
• More affordable and accessible than one-on-one coaching, which is typically high-ticket services

Specific Goal-Oriented Group Life Coaching

Specific goal-oriented group life coaching brings together individuals with shared goals, interests, or challenges. Then, you facilitate structured discussions, helping participants explore solutions, set actionable goals, and support one another in their journey toward a common objective.

Example

A group of senior IT executives may seek your coaching to improve work-life balance in their teams. Through guided discussions, they exchange strategies and insights, working collectively to implement solutions that benefit both employees and organizational productivity.

How it works

• You establish a structured format for discussions, ensuring each of your sessions stays focused on the group’s primary objective. 
• Your participants share their challenges, engage in brainstorming, and support each other in finding practical solutions. 
• You moderate the conversation, keeping it on track while allowing participants to lead the problem-solving process.

Benefits of specific/niche group coaching for coaches

Focusing on a specific coaching niche offers you several advantages:

• Attracts the right clients – Targeted expertise makes it easier for you to connect with individuals who need specialized guidance.
• Increases impact – Addressing a specific area allows for more tailored solutions, leading to better outcomes for your participants.
• Simplifies marketing – A well-defined niche helps you craft clear messaging and reach the right audience effectively.
• Enhances expertise – Specialization equips you with deeper knowledge, refining your coaching techniques for greater success.

By narrowing your focus, you can establish credibility, improve client engagement, and build a thriving coaching practice.

Online Group Life Coaching 

The coaching scene, in general, has largely shifted from in-person to a combination of in-person and virtual, with more and more engagements being conducted in virtual settings. Group coaching via online mediums such as Zoom, Skype and Google Meet eliminates geographical barriers (state, country, continent etc.) and diversifies the type of clients that you can include in your client list. 

In online group coaching, you can help participants connect with others they may never meet in person, forming valuable relationships across time zones and borders. Start each session by welcoming your participants and encouraging brief introductions about their backgrounds, countries, and professions. Ensure every member has a chance to contribute, creating an environment free from language barriers, pressure, or hesitation.

Related: How To Structure A Group Coaching Program (Step-By-Step)  

Exploring Life Coaching Topics in Group Coaching Sessions

In your group life coaching sessions, you can explore a variety of topics, such as:

• Career development
• Personal health
• Relationship management
• Personal fulfillment

After choosing your topic, you can incorporate the group coaching techniques discussed below. Through them, you can guide your participants through structured exercises that promote personal and collective growth.

How to Structure Impactful Group Life Coaching Sessions? 

Group life coaching can be a winning venture for both you as well as your client, if done right. Your role is essential in ensuring that your session is a success. Here are some important group coaching techniques to follow that will ensure successful group life coaching sessions:

1. Start with introductions

While it might seem obvious, skipping introductions can happen in the rush of getting started. Begin by having participants share their names, backgrounds, and interests. This fosters a welcoming environment, builds rapport, and allows you to gauge their individual goals and expectations for the program.

2. Define a common goal

Establishing a shared purpose aligns everyone and gives the group a clear direction. Identify what participants have in common, what brought them to the session, and what they aim to achieve. Communicate these goals upfront and create an agenda for each meeting. This shared vision keeps the group you are coaching focused and motivated throughout your program.

3. Set ground rules and expectations

Establish guidelines for respectful interaction, confidentiality, punctuality, and active participation. Be explicit about acceptable behavior and ensure all your members understand what they can expect from the program. This creates a safe and structured environment conducive to open sharing and growth.

4. Boost bonding among participants

Group coaching thrives on collective wisdom and shared experiences. You should allocate time for activities that encourage trust and camaraderie. Icebreakers, team-building exercises, or small group discussions can help participants feel comfortable and remove personal or professional barriers.

5. Ensure every voice is heard

Facilitate your session so that everyone, from the talkative to the reserved, has the opportunity to contribute. For quieter participants, encourage them to share their thoughts in a supportive manner. If deeper individual issues arise, offer private one-on-one discussions outside the group setting.

6. Monitor and manage group rhythm

Keep your sessions balanced in pace and flow. Observe how the group interacts and adjust accordingly—whether it’s giving space for deeper discussions or steering conversations back to the agenda. Effective time management ensures no one feels rushed or left behind.

7. Incorporate accountability practices

Encourage participants to hold themselves and one another accountable for their progress. Assign actionable takeaways at the end of each of your sessions and follow up in subsequent meetings. Use online platforms or group chats to help participants stay connected and track their progress between sessions.

8. Use engaging activities and tools

Incorporate exercises like the Wheel of Life or metaphor-based activities to make your sessions interactive and reflective. Tailor these tools to your group’s specific goals, ensuring they remain relevant and relatable. Activities should connect theoretical principles to practical applications, reinforcing the program’s value.

9. Measure and celebrate progress

Track individual and group progress throughout your group coaching program. Use surveys, reflections, or group discussions to identify milestones and celebrate achievements. Recognizing growth motivates participants and reinforces their commitment to the process.

10. Follow up post-program

Build lasting relationships by staying in touch with your participants after the program concludes. A thoughtful follow-up via calls, emails, or texts shows participants that their success matters to you. Offering additional resources or ongoing support can also establish you as a coach who genuinely cares about long-term outcomes.

By structuring your group coaching sessions around these steps, you create an environment where participants feel valued, engaged, and empowered to grow. Tailoring the experience to their needs will ensure your program leaves a lasting impact.

Best Group Coaching Exercises, Activities & Templates

Group coaching exercises are tailored to ensure that all members of coaching groups are actively participating and benefiting from the collective learning environment. 

The exercises are designed to challenge and inspire participants, leading to breakthroughs that might not occur in private life coaching sessions. This approach not only reinforces the benefits of group coaching but also keeps the sessions dynamic and engaging.

Group coaching exercises and activities

When working with groups, incorporating hands-on exercises and meaningful activities can enhance learning, encourage teamwork, and inspire personal reflection for your participants.

Here are some ideas tailored for your group coaching sessions:

1. Strengths and challenges activity

• Pair up: Partner participants to work in pairs.
• Share: Each of your participants talks about their strengths and challenges related to the coaching topic.
• Listen and feedback: The other partner assigned to your participant listens carefully, takes notes, and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• Collaborate: After all of your partnered participant pairs have shared with each other, the pair then discusses strategies to maximize strengths and tackle challenges effectively.

2. SMART goal-setting activity

• Introduce SMART goals: Explain what makes a goal SMART— specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
• Set goals: Have each of your group coaching participants identify a goal they want to achieve and write it down.
• Break it down: Guide them to structure their goal into SMART components, ensuring clarity, feasibility, and a timeline.
• Group feedback: Encourage participants to share their goals with the group, receive feedback, and then you, as the coach, take on the responsibility of refining them for better outcomes.

3. Gratitude journaling exercise

• Present the idea: Explain the concept of maintaining a gratitude journal as a way to reflect on and appreciate positive aspects of life.

• Daily gratitude: You should ask each participant to jot down three things they’re grateful for that day. These could range from personal milestones to simple everyday joys.
• Share (optional): Invite volunteers to share their entries with the group if they feel comfortable.
• Encourage consistency: Motivate participants to continue this practice daily, observing how it shifts their mindset over time.

Each of these activities brings value to your group coaching by promoting self-awareness, building connections, and supporting growth. Tailor them to your group’s dynamics for the best results.

4. The Wheel of Life (group version)

The Wheel of Life is a classic coaching tool, ideal for you when evaluating satisfaction across key life areas such as health, career, family, and finances. For group coaching, you can customize it to fit your session’s focus:

• Customize the labels: Adapt the categories on the wheel to align with your coaching topic. For example, if working with managers, use leadership skills like emotional intelligence or strategic planning. If it’s career coaching, include skills such as resume writing or networking.
• Pre-session work: Have participants complete their Wheel of Life before your session. This gives them time to reflect and come prepared.
• Track progress: Encourage participants to revisit and update their wheel throughout your coaching process, allowing them to measure growth and identify areas needing attention.

Using tools like the pre-prepared digital Wheel of Life can streamline your group coaching process, making it easier to incorporate into your sessions.

Source 

5. Using metaphors for group insight

Metaphors offer a creative way to simplify complex concepts, making them easier to grasp and apply. They’re highly versatile and can enrich your group coaching sessions.

• Creative representation: Ask participants to represent their journey visually, whether related to leadership, wellness, or career. They could draw, design, or even build something symbolic of their experience.
• Team alignment: This activity works well in organizational settings where creating a shared mental model, such as a unified brand vision or strategy, is important.
• Instructional support: Metaphors can also enhance lecture-style components of your sessions. Consider using examples like the Chessboard metaphor or Scoreboard metaphor to illustrate key concepts effectively.

Session templates for structured group coaching

A well-structured session keeps your participants focused and ensures your coaching objectives are met. Here are two templates to inspire your next group session:

A. Value tattoo activity

Objective: Help your participants identify and reflect on their core values.
Materials: Digital or physical materials for designing a “Value Tattoo.”

• Introduction: Begin by defining values as principles that guide your participants’ decisions and behaviors. Explain the significance of aligning actions with values, even when it’s challenging.
• Activity: Have your participants create a tattoo design representing their values. This can be done digitally or with art materials in person.
• Discussion: Allow participants to share their designs and explain the values they represent.

B. Acceptance or avoidance route metaphor

Objective: Empower participants to move past fear and take action toward meaningful goals.
Materials: A visual metaphor depicting a route with obstacles.

• Introduction: You can start by presenting an image of a path leading to a mountain, with a sign symbolizing fear that blocks progress. Discuss how fear can prevent us from pursuing what truly matters.
• Activity: Ask participants to reflect on a fear they’ve faced or are currently facing. Use tools like the Acceptance or Avoidance Route activity for deeper exploration.
• Discussion: Facilitate sharing, focusing on how participants can act despite fear and grow from their experiences.

By incorporating these exercises into your group coaching, you can create sessions that are both meaningful and impactful, leaving participants with actionable insights and renewed motivation.

Top 7 Tips for Successful Group Coaching

Group coaching presents unique opportunities and challenges, requiring thoughtful techniques to engage and empower participants while balancing diverse perspectives and boosting collaboration. Here are seven highly effective tips you can use to create impactful group coaching sessions for your participants:

1. Show genuine belief in your group

Start every session by affirming your belief in your group’s potential. Leave behind any personal doubts or frustrations, and approach the session with a mindset of encouragement and empowerment.

Position yourself as a trusted ally who supports the group in uncovering the answers they already hold rather than a guide who dictates solutions. This approach builds trust and reinforces the group’s confidence in their own abilities.

2. Facilitate brainstorming

Brainstorming is a versatile and collaborative tool that can energize your group coaching sessions. Present the group with a clear question, challenge, or prompt, then invite participants to share their ideas freely. As they respond, capture their thoughts by writing them down for everyone to see.

This technique is valuable for establishing a coaching focus, identifying challenges, generating creative solutions, and planning actionable steps.

3. Use the Delphi method

The Delphi technique offers a structured way to guide your group toward consensus, especially on complex or divisive topics. Begin by outlining a specific problem and invite participants to share their thoughts anonymously. Over several back-and-forth rounds, identify common themes and refine the group’s collective perspective.

This method ensures that all voices are heard equally, and it’s particularly useful for achieving alignment in diverse groups.

4. Set clear goals

At the start of each of your group coaching sessions, guide your participants to set clear and achievable goals. These goals will give them a sense of purpose and direction, keeping them focused and motivated throughout the process. 

Make sure the goals reflect each person’s unique needs while also aligning the group toward a shared objective. Be sure to revisit these goals regularly so your participants can track their progress and make adjustments as needed.

5. Encourage meaningful collaboration

Create opportunities for your participants to collaborate meaningfully by designing activities that encourage open discussions, idea-sharing, and peer learning. You can set up small breakout sessions, paired exercises, or group brainstorming to help them engage with one another. This not only enhances their learning experience but also ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for growth.

6. Build trust through confidentiality

Trust is essential in group coaching, and you can build it by ensuring confidentiality. From the beginning, make it clear to your participants that everything shared in the group stays private. Remind them of this expectation regularly so they feel secure enough to open up. When you maintain a confidential space, it encourages honesty, vulnerability, and greater participation from everyone in your coaching program.

7. Ask open-ended questions

To promote critical thinking, ask your participants open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection. Avoid letting the group settle on a simple consensus that could limit creativity. Challenge assumptions and prompt diverse perspectives with questions like, “What alternatives could we explore?” or “How might different stakeholders view this issue?” Additionally, ask powerful questions that inspire self-reflection and growth, such as, “What strengths do you bring to this challenge?” or “How can you apply what you’ve learned so far?” 

By encouraging creative thinking and self-reflection, you create a space for fresh ideas and meaningful solutions while using thoughtful questioning to help participants thrive and achieve impactful outcomes.

Combining clear goals, collaboration, trust, and critical thinking ensures your group coaching sessions are impactful and transformative, empowering participants to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Additional tools to enhance your group coaching

Beyond the core techniques, integrating supplementary tools and strategies can further elevate your group coaching sessions and enhance participant engagement:

• Outcome-based exercises: Introduce targeted activities designed to teach practical skills or promote personal development in your participants. One proven method is the six-stage reflective activity for a growth mindset:
  1. Description: Reflect on the experience and encourage your participants to describe what happened.
  2. Feelings: Explore thoughts and emotions about your participant’s experience.
  3. Evaluation: Assess what went well and what didn’t for your participants.
  4. Analysis: Make sense of the situation and identify contributing factors.
  5. Conclusion: Reflect on what you learned and what could have been done differently for you and your participants.
  6. Action plan: Plan how to handle similar situations in your future sessions or decide on broader changes to implement.

This exercise can be done as a group activity or assigned as homework for follow-up discussion, helping your participants learn from challenges and apply those insights going forward.

• Visualization techniques: Incorporate tools like mind mapping, vision boards, and future mapping to help your group coaching participants see their goals and pathways more clearly.

Source

1. Mind mapping: Use a central idea or goal and branch out into subgoals, challenges, and action items, encouraging the group to visualize relationships and pathways.
2. Vision boards: Encourage your participants to create physical or digital collages representing their goals and aspirations, making the abstract more tangible and inspiring.
3. Future mapping: Have the group imagine their ideal outcomes and work backward to map the steps required to achieve them. This can clarify priorities and inspire action for your participants.

• Empathy mapping: Encourage your participants to explore the perspectives, emotions, and behaviors of others within the group. This will, in turn, raise mutual understanding, strengthen connections, and align group dynamics.
• Feedback loops: Actively seek feedback from participants about your coaching process and session effectiveness. Use their input to refine your approach and address any emerging needs, ensuring continuous improvement.

By combining these techniques and tools, you can create an engaging, collaborative coaching environment that drives growth and surfaces meaningful results for all participants.

How Should You Charge for Group Life Coaching? 

When determining what to charge for your group life coaching program, consider these factors:

• Program duration: Typically ranges from 8 to 12 weeks, with weekly 60-minute sessions. Longer programs allow your clients more time to work through their challenges.
• Target audience: Consider the type of clients you want to attract, as pricing can be adjusted based on their needs.
• Group size: Larger groups may reduce the cost per participant, balancing it with the level of engagement you can provide.
• Add-ons: Offering additional services, such as individual coaching or exclusive resources, can justify higher prices.
• Market rates: Research your competitors’ pricing to understand the going rates in your area or niche.
• Client expectations: Higher fees often signal higher value, so your clients may expect extra attention and engagement from you.
• Expertise: If you are an experienced coach with a proven track record, you can charge towards the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
• Location: Costs may vary depending on where you’re located, with higher fees in markets where clients are willing to pay more.

Typically, group coaching programs cost between $100 and $300 per participant each month, but the actual price may vary based on these factors. 

Pricing models

• Subscription model: For a program lasting around three months, consider using a subscription model where your clients pay monthly fees after the program ends. This model helps with client retention and ensures consistent revenue flow.
• Yearly packages: Offering special rates for yearly packages can encourage long-term commitment from your clients. With upfront payment for the entire year, you benefit from immediate revenue while motivating clients to fully engage in the coaching process.
• Cycle method: The cycle method involves opening your group coaching program to new participants every 6 weeks. Offering shorter programs or one-month sessions keeps the group dynamic fresh and provides new participants with valuable exposure, benefiting both you as the coach and your program’s energy. 

Conclusion

Group life coaching thrives on a collaborative environment where both you and your participants can grow. To maintain high energy levels, incorporate fresh techniques, fun exercises, friendly competitions, and extra webinars that keep everyone engaged. This shared engagement is key to running your program successfully.

By creating a supportive space for sharing experiences and gaining collective wisdom, group life coaching drives personal and professional growth. 

Ready to elevate your coaching practice? Explore how Simply.Coach, a digitized platform, can help you schedule your group coaching programs. Schedule a demo today or sign up for a free 14-day trial and experience more efficiency in the way you coach.

FAQs

1. What are effective techniques for group coaching?
A. Focus on techniques like mindfulness exercises, motivational belief-building, brainstorming sessions, and gratitude practices. You can explore models like Cohort or Program-based approaches to find what works best. Integrate relevant strategies and activities to ensure your group sessions are impactful and engaging.

2. How should you price group coaching sessions?
A. Start with your current rate for one-on-one sessions. For instance, if you charge $150 per session, use that as your baseline. Since group coaching includes additional value from group dynamics, you can adjust the rate by multiplying it by 1.5. In this example, your group session rate would be $225.

3. How can you structure your group coaching sessions?
A. Keep the structure straightforward to avoid overcomplicating things. Use thoughtful questions to guide discussions. Remember, people learn in different ways, so offer a mix of learning methods. Above all, avoid overwhelming your participants with too much information at once.

4. How long should your group coaching program last?
A. Decide on a duration that keeps participants engaged without losing focus. A typical program runs for 8 weeks, though 6-12 week programs can also work. Avoid extending beyond 12 weeks, as maintaining client focus becomes challenging over longer periods.

5. What is the main goal of group coaching?
A. The primary purpose is to develop problem-solving, planning, and teamwork skills. Group coaching also fosters deeper connections and stronger relationships through shared experiences. It encourages accountability as participants regularly update their peers and you on their progress, new ideas, and milestones achieved.