The Power of Play in Group Coaching

Join the ICF Team & Group Coaching Community of Practice and presenters Betsy Salkind, PCC, and Amy J. Warshawsky, MCC, on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 8–9:30 a.m. (New York), for an interactive workshop exploring how play and improvisation can strengthen group coaching design and facilitation.

Who Is This For?

• Team and group coaches who want to incorporate play and improvisation into their coaching practice. 
• Newer and experienced coaches who are looking to strengthen their facilitation and listening skills. 
• Internal and external coaches who want to build trust, connection and community within groups. 
• Coach educators who are looking to explore interactive approaches to learning and development. 

What You Will Learn:

• Apply playful design techniques to encourage positive emotional engagement and support learning and growth. 
• Use improvisation exercises to strengthen presence, active listening and responsiveness in group coaching. 
• Incorporate humor and playfulness to build trust, strengthen relationships and foster a sense of community. 
• Practice improvisational techniques that create new possibilities during group coaching sessions. 

Course Details

Discover how play and improvisation can create meaningful opportunities for connection, learning and growth in group coaching. In this interactive session, Betsy Salkind, PCC, and Amy J. Warshawsky, MCC, explore how coaches can incorporate playful approaches into group coaching design and facilitation while strengthening essential coaching skills. 

Playfulness can help participants engage more fully, connect with others and explore new perspectives. Drawing on the concept of the Positive Emotional Attractor (PEA) state, the presenters will examine how designing with play can encourage positive emotional engagement and support sustainable learning and growth. 

Through practical demonstrations and experiential activities, participants will explore how improvisation can strengthen active listening, presence and responsiveness. Rather than focusing solely on techniques, this session invites coaches to experience the activities themselves and consider how these approaches might translate into their own coaching environments. 

The session will also explore how humor and shared experiences can foster trust, safety and connection within groups. Participants will consider ways to introduce playful activities that encourage engagement while remaining attentive to the needs and dynamics of the group. 

Whether you are an experienced team or group coach, a newer coach exploring facilitation techniques, or a coach educator interested in experiential learning, this session offers an opportunity to expand your approach to group coaching. 

Join us to experience the power of play, strengthen your improvisational skills and discover new possibilities for creating engaging and meaningful group coaching experiences.