CoachNet Campfire

I recently submitted an article to The Journal of Christian Coaching. It’s a new publication, so check it out if you haven’t had the chance yet. My article was on the power of networks for coaches.

As I’m sure many of you know firsthand, coaches can feel pretty isolated sometimes. Those of us in the people-helping business are often among the most lonely people on the planet. That applies to pastors, missionaries, counselors, and other leaders as well.

I’ve seen firsthand the power of leaders connecting with one another. Twenty-five years ago, I ran into exactly the same problem of isolation when I was working with church planters. By forming planter networks, we learned a lot about how networks can function effectively, and those same principles apply to networks of pastors and coaches.

Often there is an assumption that if we gather good people in the room, networks will just work. Yet in reality, they won’t sustain themselves without certain elements in place. To organize any type of network effectively, whether small or large, formal or informal, you’ll need clarity about what you’re trying to accomplish and clarity about how you’re choosing to work together.

How have you connected with others in networks? What practices have you found helpful for getting on the right track? Tell us about a time when you’ve seen coach networks really work.