What is Cinderella Syndrome? Group Coaching Tips, Tricks & More!

Paivio’s Dual coding theory tells us that “Picture stimuli have an advantage over word stimuli because they are dually encoded; they generate a verbal and image code, whereas word stimuli only generate a verbal code.”

It makes it easier for us to store and recall in our memory. So, there you go there’s science in what most of us know! As a fully-fledged and not at all embarrassed Disney adult I find that a lot of my visual stimulus is heavily Disney-fied! We all have our preferences I guess – so I thought I would share mine on the topic of group coaching tips and tricks!

Cinderella Syndrome

Even Cinderella – a well put together, smart, resourceful and brave woman needed a fairy godmother to get her to the ball. When we as adults and especially leaders have a problem we need to solve, we can sometimes believe that it’s all up to us. We are the ones who must have all the solutions. It’s simply not the case.

Being a coachee in group coaching allows us to use the power of others to get that boost, support, challenge or simply the confirmation we need on taking action towards the best solution.

Differences in how we think makes us better problem solvers together

Group coaching is different to team coaching –bringing together a diverse team working in different areas of the business that aren’t working to the same objectives. This diversity of thought will mean that different questions and ways of thinking will help you to think differently too… unlocking some new thought patterns and sparking some innovation! When you connect with someone different than you, the magic can be life changing and you can achieve so many things you once maybe thought you couldn’t!

(…it helps of course if they have alien technology 😉)

Face the fear

The one ride that I struggle to make my legs work to move me into the queue, and once there not run!

It can be scary to coach in a group setting – what if I sound ridiculous, what if I ask a daft question etc… but if you don’t try it, you will never experience the benefits. Psychological safety in group coaching is key – everyone involved must contract with each other at the start to alleviate fears and barriers to making the experience impactful to all. Don’t ignore the voice of fear, make friends with it! Hear it, thank it for trying to do its job to protect you, but tell it firmly you have this under control, and you are doing it anyway!

Keeping the advice monster in the cupboard

In group coaching, as the coach, it’s likely you have experienced what the coachee is going through – it’s a quick fix to give someone a solution but… that’s not always what anyone wants i.e. relying on someone else knowing a solution. Coaching is helping someone to get to action through supporting them to process through it, to build problem solving and decision-making skills of their own.

So, when coaching in group coaching, keep the advice monster in the cupboard and use better questioning to help the coachee think it through themselves

It's not magic - it's support, trust and vulnerability that makes it work

Leaders can be forgiven for thinking “why do I need group coaching… I’m great” well you might be but if you have a supportive group that you trust that you can be vulnerable with, you just might find your dreams coming true. It doesn’t mean your existing skills aren’t enough! But the time, space and support you achieve through coaching can unlock your unknown powers. And as a coach – you don’t need to be magic or grant three wishes – you just need to listen and guide with consideration and a good outcome in mind.

You don’t need to rub a lamp, just contact t-three and we can help you get started.

To find out more about Cinderella Syndrome and the Advice Monster, listen below where I explore the impact of group coaching.