One-on-one mentoring versus team learning

By William Seidman Team learning or mentoring?  We’ve been working with customers in healthcare who are very interested in our research on learning as a team versus the benefits of learning with a mentor. We are asked, specifically, if we would use team coaching – everyone at once – or one-on-one coaching for specific team members? There is a tradeoff between the two approaches. Team learning, if well-facilitated, can enable great synergy and alignment in the team, but less individual depth. Group discussions are powerful, but individuals sometimes don’t have to go as deep contentwise, or focus as intensely. On the other hand, individual learning with a mentor can be deeper, but isolated. The group does not necessarily gain from it. It’s important to articulate your goals, and then use the method that will get you there.]]>