Our experiential T-group workshops include regular blocks of time during which you'll work together in one cohesive group to build communication skills, self-awareness and effective group dynamics.
During these "talking circle" work sessions, you develop skills by engaging in real conversations about the "here and now". With two highly experienced facilitators to help guide the way, these practice sessions become a powerful tool for internalizing new behaviors that align with your goals.
Typical actions you might take in order to learn:
You can practice concepts and behaviors you may have picked up from authors/researchers including: Brene Brown, Daniel Goleman, John Gottman, Kim Scott, or The Harvard Negotiation Project. (If you don't follow these researchers, don't worry. We'll tell you what you need to know.)
Reading and watching videos about vulnerable conversations, building relationships and giving feedback are great first steps. Practicing them in a safe, facilitated environment is what allows you to acquire new skills.
During these "talking circle" work sessions, you develop skills by engaging in real conversations about the "here and now". With two highly experienced facilitators to help guide the way, these practice sessions become a powerful tool for internalizing new behaviors that align with your goals.
Typical actions you might take in order to learn:
- Share observations, feelings and emotions about what is happening in the group
- Give 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.
- Ask for and receive feedback from others about how you are coming across and impacting them
- Stand up for your needs or suggest what you'd like the group to be doing
- Investigate an assumption you're making by checking it out with the group or individual. (This is similar to what Brene Brown would call "Rumbling")
- Reveal a more complete, authentic version of yourself (rather that the "purely professional" or "everyone admires these limited parts me" version)
You can practice concepts and behaviors you may have picked up from authors/researchers including: Brene Brown, Daniel Goleman, John Gottman, Kim Scott, or The Harvard Negotiation Project. (If you don't follow these researchers, don't worry. We'll tell you what you need to know.)
Reading and watching videos about vulnerable conversations, building relationships and giving feedback are great first steps. Practicing them in a safe, facilitated environment is what allows you to acquire new skills.
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 30-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 for our sessions 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 Investment
$ 1,480 - Private pay $ 950 - Students and student spouses without corporate reimbursement (Scholarships also available—please inquire) |