Next T-group Workshop: October 3-5 near Chicago, Illinois
Most of your time in our experiential T-group weekend is spent working with fellow participants and 2 facilitators on relationship and team dynamics. Unlike with colleagues or friends—with whom it can be risky to speak honestly about what happens between you—in our facilitated "talking circle" everyone is there to learn in a confidential and low-risk practice lab.
These laboratory work sessions are a powerful tool for internalizing new skills you'll use at home and at work.
Participants learn to discuss how they impact one another ... what's working and not working in their communication and decision-making ... which behaviors inspire trust, connection and collaboration, and which behaviors stifle them.
You'll learn a great deal about yourself! Self-awareness, self-compassion, effective emotional expression, confidence and authenticity are all byproducts of the work you can do in our T-groups.
See "Learnings" Tab for more skills people tend to walk away with.
You may follow authors/researchers like Brene Brown, Daniel Goleman, John Gottman, Kim Scott, or The Harvard Negotiation Project. (If you don't follow these researchers, no worries. We'll tell you what you need to know.) Reading or watching videos about vulnerable conversations, building relationships and giving feedback are valuable first steps.
Practicing in a safe environment where you get coaching and support is what allows you to build muscles you can use.
These laboratory work sessions are a powerful tool for internalizing new skills you'll use at home and at work.
Participants learn to discuss how they impact one another ... what's working and not working in their communication and decision-making ... which behaviors inspire trust, connection and collaboration, and which behaviors stifle them.
You'll learn a great deal about yourself! Self-awareness, self-compassion, effective emotional expression, confidence and authenticity are all byproducts of the work you can do in our T-groups.
See "Learnings" Tab for more skills people tend to walk away with.
You may follow authors/researchers like Brene Brown, Daniel Goleman, John Gottman, Kim Scott, or The Harvard Negotiation Project. (If you don't follow these researchers, no worries. We'll tell you what you need to know.) Reading or watching videos about vulnerable conversations, building relationships and giving feedback are valuable first steps.
Practicing in a safe environment where you get coaching and support is what allows you to build muscles you can use.
How can I work on these skills in a practice circle?
In a T-group, you learn by doing. Potential experiments include:
- Sharing observations, feelings and emotions about what is happening in the group
- Giving feedback to other members about how they are impacting you or how you notice they're impacting the group as a whole. We'll help guide feedback so it's delivered in productive rather than harmful ways.
- Asking for and receiving feedback from others about how you are coming across and impacting them
- Standing up for your needs or suggest what you'd like the group to be doing
- Investigating an assumption you've made by checking it out with the group or individual. (This is similar to what Brene Brown would call "Rumbling")
- Revealing a more complete, authentic version of yourself (rather that the "purely professional" or "everyone admires these limited parts me" version).
- After trying a new skill in a low-risk environment, you learn how it feels, receive feedback (if desired), iterate and try again. This cycle grows your comfort zone in real time.
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Questions?
Schedule a complimentary 20 minute chat with a facilitator! (Absolutely no pressure or obligation. We promise! Everyone benefits when workshop participants are committed. We can talk about whether our event is the best match for your objectives. |
What we ask of you
To develop skills and form stronger interpersonal relationships, here's what we'll ask of you:
1. Active participation
This course is not a "spectator sport". You play an active role in driving your own learning and contributing to the learning of the other 8-11 participants in your group.
Before the workshop, one of our professional coaches will help you clarify your course learning goals. We'll help you design small behavior experiments that will build the skills and awareness you're coming for.
During the weekend you're encouraged to take reasonable risks* to try out those behavior experiments. (*We suggest a 15% risk, which is out of your comfort zone and builds new skills, but will keep you safely out of any "panic" zones).
This is unlike passive classroom-style learning experiences. You'll walk away having practiced and internalized actions and ways of thinking that match your objectives.
Before the workshop, one of our professional coaches will help you clarify your course learning goals. We'll help you design small behavior experiments that will build the skills and awareness you're coming for.
During the weekend you're encouraged to take reasonable risks* to try out those behavior experiments. (*We suggest a 15% risk, which is out of your comfort zone and builds new skills, but will keep you safely out of any "panic" zones).
This is unlike passive classroom-style learning experiences. You'll walk away having practiced and internalized actions and ways of thinking that match your objectives.
2. Willingness to share thoughts and feelings
Our emotions drive our actions. Understanding more about this link, learning what types of feelings and reactions our behavior generates in others, and learning to be with and respond to others members' feelings, are all foundational to T-group learning.
We'll encourage you to recognize and share feelings as a key ingredient in your feedback. You may choose to highlight some personal stories with the group that are relevant to what's emerging in the circle, but this isn't required.
Importantly, this is not a therapy group. We won't ask about intensely private experiences or publicly unpack the layered roots of our behavior. We also won't be discussing trauma. If you're currently in therapy please consult your therapist to ensure it's a good time for you to engage in this type of intensive learning experience.
We'll encourage you to recognize and share feelings as a key ingredient in your feedback. You may choose to highlight some personal stories with the group that are relevant to what's emerging in the circle, but this isn't required.
Importantly, this is not a therapy group. We won't ask about intensely private experiences or publicly unpack the layered roots of our behavior. We also won't be discussing trauma. If you're currently in therapy please consult your therapist to ensure it's a good time for you to engage in this type of intensive learning experience.
3. A desire to stretch yourself
Learning requires us to stretch and try new things. You'll need to be willing to take risks, make some mistakes, and have conversations that may feel vulnerable and uncomfortable.
Insightful change can come from giving and receiving authentic "here and now" feedback with other participants. It's both refreshing and a bit outside our comfort zones. It's the best way to learn in a T-group.
We won't problem-solve or role-play. Conversations are about real thoughts and reactions group members have to one another and to what is (or isn't!) happening.
Participants report that the rewards are well worth their investment in momentary discomfort. Does this sound like a challenge you're interested in and ready for?
Insightful change can come from giving and receiving authentic "here and now" feedback with other participants. It's both refreshing and a bit outside our comfort zones. It's the best way to learn in a T-group.
We won't problem-solve or role-play. Conversations are about real thoughts and reactions group members have to one another and to what is (or isn't!) happening.
Participants report that the rewards are well worth their investment in momentary discomfort. Does this sound like a challenge you're interested in and ready for?
Included in the course:
- Experiential exercises and “practice lab” circles — the bulk of our time together
- Didactic training modules before each practice session
- Pre-workshop 45-minute virtual meeting with a professional coach to clarify weekend learning goals
- Post-workshop 45-min virtual coaching session to strengthen personal/professional application
- Snacks and beverages
- Potluck group dinner Friday and hosted group dinner Saturday (For lunches, bring your own or walk/drive/bike to local restaurants )
- A beautiful and private retreat-like setting in Emerald Hills, CA. (Overnight lodging not included.)
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Dates & Schedule
Our next workshop schedule:
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Attendance at each session in its entirety is mandatory.
It's important to be mentally and emotionally available and present. Meals may include journaling or small group coaching. Please don't plan other tasks during workshop hours. If this is a concern, let's discuss how to accommodate your participation. |
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Financial Contribution
$ 1,480—Standard rate $ 1,180—Students/student partners, and non-profit organizations |