Peer Coaching is designed for you to develop your coaching skills during the iPEC Coach Training Program. You'll practice the skills and tools you learn in training while, as a bonus, you can expect to gain valuable personal insights when you are the client.
How Peer Coaching Works
You will be assigned two roles:
- Peer Coach: You will coach your assigned peer client on real-life topics during 12 one-hour sessions.
- Peer Client: You will be coached by your assigned peer coach in 12 one-hour sessions on your real-life topics.
There are two rounds of Peer Coaching:
- First Round: Assignments will be made a few weeks following Module I.
- Second Round: Assignments will be made a few weeks following Module II.
Assignments are random, and we encourage you to embrace every pairing as an opportunity for growth.
Scheduling Peer Coaching Sessions
Each round of Peer Coaching includes 12 weekly sessions with your assigned peer. Ideally, you meet once per week to practice what you will be learning each week. Flexibility may be required due to individual circumstances although staying on track with weekly practice will help you to develop your skills and integrate what you are learning as you continue to acquire new knowledge through training.
- First Round Goal: Aim to finish by three weeks after Module II.
- Second Round Goal: Complete your sessions within the training program timeline, wrapping up within the month following your Module III.
Getting Started as a Peer Coach
Coaching for the first time may feel like a stretch. Rest assured that every iPEC Coach started out just like you! Mastery is a journey of continuous improvement rather than a destination.
Here is a suggested way to get started:
- Focus on the T-GOAL model you learned in Module I.
- Practice open-ended, empowering questions, acknowledging and validating.
- Review the Peer Coaching Tips document in the Hub for additional guidance.
As you approach the end of your second round of peer coaching, you may opt to break your hour-long coaching sessions into two 30-minute sessions. This optional strategy can help you practice for the final exam, which requires 30-minute sessions.
What If Challenges Arise?
Peer Coaching assignments are designed for you to practice the skills, tools and processes you are learning throughout training. We encourage you to work through whatever situation arises directly with your peer to make the most of your training experience.
Key Reminders
- Peer clients are asked to schedule sessions with their peer coach as soon as assignments are made. If you are the coach and you don’t hear from your client in 1 week, you may email them asking to schedule. .
- Download and review the Peer Assignment Tips and Peer Coaching Tips documents in the Hub for detailed guidance.
- Plan on a regular weekly schedule for peer coaching to integrate your learning and develop your skills as the program is laid out.