First, let me saw that I am not talking about mentoring here, because to many of us, it can imply a top down "experienced" leader and their "charge." There certainly is a place for that type of coaching relationship (though not as much as many think).
In peer to peer coaching (or friends helping friends) we are attempting to do several things. Ultimately, it relates to being the best we can be -- and helping others be the best they can be. I lump them into four LESS categories: Leaning, Encouraging, Simplifying, and Sharing
1. Learn. What are the models that are working for you? What best practices are you using? What articles, blog sites, books have you found most valuable? Most inspirational?.
2. Encourage. Mistakes and failures are common and even helpful (we do learn what doesn't work!). However, when we unpack our failures with peers, they can encourage us with both their own stories of challenges, as well as how things eventually worked out (if they did!).
3. Simplify. Don't over complicate things! Why do we think that complixification (is that a word?) is what we need. We tend to think that. Instead help each other simplify things. Systems, connections, technology, etc. This is where the aspect of team building can come into play. An effective team has mastered the basic fundamentals (which are usually quite simple).
4. Share. Family issues; financial issues; relationship issues; spiritual journey issues. We need to both be a safe place for others as well as find those safe places for ourselves. Many of us process things verbally -- find time in the schedule to just talk about how things are going.
Ultimately, as I explain to organizations, we are better together than we are separately. That is true in peer to peer coaching as well.
