Can You Coach People Back-to-Back?
In short: Yes, you can coach people back-to-back, but it's easier for the coach than the coachee. Coachees need a break between session to digest what they've learned.
The Atelier Day Experience
As part of the Atelier Day at HSLU's Master Service Designer program, faculty members have 30-minute back-to-back coaching sessions with students. In busy days for example I can see more than 10 people back to back. People often ask if this is exhausting. The short answer? Absolutely not for me. I really love it!
Easier for the Coach
Switching topics is less energy-draining for the coach or mentor. When a new session starts, the coachee introduces their topic. This introduction acts as a smooth transition for the coach, making it easy to switch gears.
Harder for the Coachee
For the person being coached, it's more challenging. They end one session with lots to digest and immediately jump into another without time to synthesize what they've learned. It's like having breakfast, lunch, and dinner one after another without a break.
Recommendations
So, my advice differs for coaches and coachees:
- For those being mentored, I recommend having gaps between sessions to process information.
- Coaches might not need this break as much.
Of course, everyone is different. Some coaches need breaks, and some coachees thrive on intensity. But always consider the time needed for digestion and synthesis.
This article is based on an audio note I took while walking which was transcribed and cleaned using Audiopen and that I then reviewed and improved by hand.
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