I used to think one-on-one coaching was the only way to go.
Like, why would someone want to share personal growth time with a group of strangers? But then I tried running my first group coaching session… and I got humbled fast.
Both one-on-one and group coaching have their perks and their headaches. I’ve done both as a coach and as a client. And man, they are very different beasts.
Let me break it down from both sides.
The Power of One-on-One Coaching
When I started out, I offered only private sessions. Just me and one client, digging deep into their goals, fears, and whatever chaos they were sorting through that week.
Here’s what’s great about it:
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It’s fully customized.
Every session is tailored exactly to what they need. There’s no guessing. I had a client working through career burnout while also dealing with a messy breakup. No group program could have handled that mix of stuff. -
Clients get more space to open up.
I’ve had people cry, vent, and spill things they never would in a group. There’s a level of safety that helps them dig deep. -
You build deep trust.
Coaching is all about relationships, and 1-on-1 builds that fast. I’ve had clients stay with me for years because they knew I “got” them.
But there’s a downside…
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It’s time-heavy.
I hit a point where I was doing back-to-back calls every day, totally fried by Friday. There’s only so much of you to go around. -
It doesn’t scale.
If you’re trying to grow your income or reach more people, private coaching can hit a wall. There’s no real leverage unless you raise your prices — which, hey, can be awkward depending on your coaching niche.
What Surprised Me About Group Coaching?
I’ll admit — I was terrified to try group coaching at first. I kept thinking, “What if no one shares? What if it’s awkward?” Total imposter syndrome. But I gave it a shot… and wow. Game changer.
Here’s what worked:
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Shared experiences = powerful breakthroughs.
Clients realize they’re not alone. When one person opens up, others nod like, “Oh man, me too.” That connection? It accelerates growth. -
Built-in accountability.
People show up for each other. I had one group where folks started meeting outside the sessions for study dates and goal check-ins. It was wild (in the best way). -
It scales like magic.
I could coach 10 people in one session — and still deliver value. My income went up without burning me out. I wish I had read more about how to scale your coaching business before jumping in — would’ve saved me a few headaches.
Of course, it’s not perfect:
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Less personalized.
Some clients need more attention than a group allows. I tried to coach one client through a specific trauma in a group setting… didn’t go well. Learned my lesson. -
Managing group dynamics is a skill.
You’ve gotta keep the energy flowing, make space for quieter voices, and gently shut down anyone who dominates the convo. Not for the faint of heart.
Which One’s Better? Depends on the Person
Honestly, it comes down to where your client is in their journey.
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New to coaching? One-on-one might be safer for them to open up.
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Need momentum and peer support? Group’s probably the way to go.
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Want transformation and community? A hybrid model (group sessions + optional 1-on-1 calls) can hit both.
From a coach’s perspective, I recommend starting your coaching business with 1-on-1 offers. Get solid with your style and outcomes, and then build a group offer once you’re confident. That way, you’ve got a foundation and testimonials or social proof — to launch with.
Also? Charge what your energy is worth. Don’t underprice private coaching because you feel bad. Been there, done that. Burned out, and nobody wins.
Final Thoughts
Coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some folks thrive with personal attention; others need the magic of group energy to grow. And as a coach? You’ve gotta balance your impact with your own capacity.
Try both. Tweak things. Build what works for you and your clients.
Because whether it’s one-on-one or a group Zoom full of wild ideas and laughter transformation happens when people feel seen, supported, and safe to grow.
