Peer Consulting In Groups
The method of peer reflection (also non as peer coaching or collegial consulting) has been developed for groups that want to use each other's experiences in a structured way and consult each other. Peer Reflection is suitable for reflection and clarification of professional problems. It enables groups to develop solutions to both factual issues and personal situations of tension. The method originates from the larger context of coaching measures and accordingly aims at helping people to help themselves, broadening their perspectives and opening up new solution spaces.
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Preparation
Role definition
Preparation of case description
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Key Question
Formulate a key question for the consultant team.
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Process Reflection
Gather learning from the process.
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Case Description
Explanation and visualization of the topic.
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Solution Space
Development of solutions for the key question.
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Hypothesis
First reactions, thoughts and emotions of the consultant team.
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Idea Selection
Case owner provides feedback to the consultant team's ideas.
What is collegial consulting suitable for?
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For reflection and clarification of professional problems.
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To develop solutions for factual questions and personal tension situations.
The method is often effective because
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through the method, factual issues and personal issues are not dealt with separately, but together.
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multiple perspectives on a topic can be used through the consultant team.
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together we try to identify the issue behind the problem.
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and we thereby open up new solution spaces together.
What is important about the method
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The methodology makes it easier for us to get out of habitual patterns of finding solutions: consciously not fast - first thought is implemented.
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It helps the case givers to describe their concerns in a holistic and personal way.
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It gives space to hypothesizing and broadening perspectives.
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It prevents discussion and leaves self-responsibility with the case givers.
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It demands slowing down and promotes active listening.
For collegial consultation to work, process, role and time discipline is required.
Case Owner
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describes the topic
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is willing to share challenges openly
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speaks about personal aspects as well.
Moderator
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concentrates on the structure, timing and roles.
Consultants
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offer their perspectives and ideas.
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are willing to think and act on the case owners behalf.
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Preparation
Duration 5-10 minutes
Definition of the roles
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Case giver.
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Facilitator.
Preparation of the case description
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The topic is prepared in such a way that the factual level, the social relationship level and the own emotional level become transparent.
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It is helpful to support the description with a picture: diagrams, charts, metaphors and analogies.
Preparation of the moderation
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Position model of collegial consultation visible to all.
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Flipchart or whiteboard for visualization.
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In Virtual setting make use of digital whiteboard.
Mindset
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It is important for case owner to remain open-minded despite their personal involvement and all the measures they have taken so far.
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New and perhaps unfamiliar perspectives are welcome.
Case Description
Dauer 10 Minutes
Goal
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Describe case and situation
Moderator
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Explains how the case presentation will proceed.
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Ensures that the case owner is not interrupted.
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Allows questions of understanding at the end, prevents discussions.
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Should not support the content by asking questions or summarizing.
Case Owner
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Formulates the problem and explains the tensions for which he/she seek consulting.
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Case owner describe in a personal and subjective way. Thereby interpretation and personal involvement become visible.
Consultants
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Listen, don't interrupt. Don't provide feedback. Neither verbally nor non-verbally.
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Practice active listening to understand how thing are interconnected.
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At the end of the case-description, consultans may ask questions..
Case description Guiding questions
In order for the consulting team to work, the case (concern) must be described as well as possible.
Case owners prepare the case description and should take the following aspects into account: Content, organizational context, personal aspects.
The following questions can be helpful in preparation:
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What is the case about in general?
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What context do we need to know (organization, person, situation)
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How do I experience the situation and what is my role?
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What have I already done and what has triggered this?
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What do I want to achieve (goals, wishes)?
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What are my thoughts or feelings?
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In which aspects do I seek advice?
Case givers make it easier for the consulting team if they visualize strongly and simply when describing the case. Simple flipchart pictures that show connections are helpful.
Hypotheses
Duration 15 minutes
Goal
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Through an initial sharing of hypotheses, the case owner can see her own issue from different perspectives.
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Through the exchange, the consulting team explores the situation of the case giver.
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It is explicitly not about quick solutions.
Facilitator
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Opens the phase with quick round from everybody.
Case Owner
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Keeps silent and listens.
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In physical meetings, sit outside the circle.
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In virtual meetings, use camera and microphone if necessary.
Counsultants
The consultant team talks about what the statement of concern has triggered in you.
The consultant team refrains from giving advice.
Resonance and hypotheses are made as an I-Statement (I see... I perceive ...)
Guiding questions for the consulting team in the hypothesis generation phase
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How does the situation affect me?
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What thoughts, inner images or feelings arise?
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What impressions and assumptions do I have?
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What comes to my mind about the role of the case giver?
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Which patterns become visible to me?
Keep In Mind
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No advice, know-it-all attitude or quick solutions.
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Reflect on your own impressions, perceptions and feelings.
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Consciously put the behavior of the case giver in the foreground.
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Hypotheses are subjective descriptions.
Key question
Duration 5 minutes
Goal
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Formulation of a key question and thus focusing of further consulting work.
Facilitator
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Supports with the key question by prioritizing the mentioned aspects and supporting with the formulation.
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Writes down the key question for all to see and checks that it is clear to all.
Case Owner
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What resonates with the hypotheses.
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What triggers this for me?
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What became clear to me?
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What do I recognize as different?
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Formulation of a key question for further consultation: How can I achieve ...
Counselors
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Can also support the formulation of the key question by making suggestions.
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Variation: Collecting key questions in the group - case giver prioritizes the most important key question.
Solution Space
Dauer 20-30 Minutes
Goal
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The consulting team develops solution options for the key question and formulates them as an offer.
Moderator
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Facilitates exchanges within the consulting team.
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Ensures ideas are voiced and collected.
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Stops discussions within the consulting team.
Case Owner
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Listen. No comments
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In F2F meetings sits outside of the round.
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In Virtual meetings turn of camera and microphone.
Consultant
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Apply brainstorming rules: every idea counts - no commenting.
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No judging of other ideas.
Idea Selection
Dauer 5 Minutes
Goal
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Case owner selects the most promising ideas from the solution space.
Moderator
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Facilitates the dicussion.
Case Owner
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Gives resonance to what I heard: what did I hear, what triggers resonance for me?
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Selects certain ideas and can concretize them.
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The case owner can also ask the consultant for further ideas on certain approaches.
Consultants
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Give lead to the case owner
Process Reflection
Duration 15 minutes
Goal
Reflect how the group has used the methodology.
Moderator*in
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Facilitates an open round for process reflection and co-writes:
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When reflecting the application of the method and our communication.
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What do we keep the same next time?
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What do we want to change?
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What do we not want to do again?
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Fallgeber*in und Berater*innen geben ihr Feedback.