5 Steps to Launch Your Community of Practice or Peer-Led Coaching Group

Here’s a fun fact: the most visited post on our DWL webpage is an article where we describe the differences between communities of practices and professional learning communities. It’s funny to me because, if you scan through to the end, my conclusion is: It doesn’t matter what you call this gathering. What matters is the function your group needs and how you do it.

As a leader-facilitator, offering ongoing spaces where people can learn from each other and with each other is a critical piece of your role. So how do you do it? Here are five simple steps:

1. Form a group

* Invite members who share a common interest or mission; or people with similar roles to yourself

* Make a specific time commitment

* Set a schedule of meetings

* Determine mode(s) of communication–use online meeting tools, shared documents and calendar invitations

* Agree to ground rules for your group and set boundaries regarding when to invite new members

2. Focus the group

* Agree on long-term goals for your target audience/clients–Often there is a problem or issue to be discussed

* Plan an agenda–We really like the Circle Way for structuring and facilitating the time together (www.thecircleway.net)

* Consider inviting an outside facilitator to facilitate and enhance the meetings or rotate the role of facilitator

3. Execute the plan

* Keep written records of your planning and implementation

* Invite participants to track data from authentic experiences in their work–that could mean journal entries or something more quantitative like survey data, attendance or funding

* Be open for the unexpected

4. Discuss and question what you are learning in your real life

* Focus the discussion on individuals’ experiences and the data they’ve collected based on day-to-day experiences

* Invite participants to ask questions and to question their own assumptions

* Consider how to revise goals and agendas based on what you’re learning about your group

* Be available for support and encouragement

5. Reflect and Plan Next Steps

* Keep written records of your discussion and along-the-way revisions; compare with your original plans

* Be sure to have a clear end and an acknowledgement of closure—don’t just let it fizzle out

* Discuss the benefits and challenges of your group’s efforts – How did we build on the positives and overcome the negatives?

* Celebrate! Offer appreciation for each other’s authenticity and vulnerability.

Boom! You’ve got this. ❤️