Peer Learning Networks: Student Workbook
Establishing and Facilitating Peer Learning Groups
Exercise 1: Assess Peer Learning Opportunity
Your Leadership Challenge:
What are your primary leadership development areas?
How could peer learning help?
Do you want to establish a new group or join existing one?
[ ] Establish new peer learning group
[ ] Join or participate in existing group
Exercise 2: Design Your Peer Learning Group
Group Purpose: What will this group focus on?
Target Members:
- Position/role: ________________________________________________________
- Number of members: ____________________________________________________
- Key characteristics: __________________________________________________
Member Selection Criteria:
- Commitment to development: [ ]
- Willingness to be vulnerable: [ ]
- Good listening and questioning skills: [ ]
- Peer relationships: [ ]
- Diverse perspectives: [ ]
Potential Members (if known):
Exercise 3: Establish Group Contract
Meeting Frequency: _________ Duration: _________ Location/Virtual: _________
Group Norms:
What agreements will we make about how we work together?
- Confidentiality: ________________________________________________________
- Authenticity: __________________________________________________________
- Commitment: ___________________________________________________________
- Participation: ________________________________________________________
- Conflict resolution: ___________________________________________________
Written Group Contract:
(Draft a 1-page contract for your group with above elements)
Exercise 4: Design Meeting Structure
Monthly Meeting Agenda (assume 3-4 hour meeting):
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | ||
| Peer Coaching Sessions (rotating) | ||
| Break | ||
| Continued Coaching/Learning | ||
| Reflection and Closing |
Peer Coaching Time per Person: _________ minutes
Other Meeting Formats:
- Quarterly intensive: __________________________________________________
- Monthly virtual: ______________________________________________________
- Annual retreat: _______________________________________________________
Exercise 5: Peer Coaching Skills Practice
Active Listening Commitment:
What will you do to improve your listening?
Powerful Questioning:
Examples of questions you might ask:
- What's the underlying challenge here?
- What would success look like?
- What's within your control?
- What have you already tried?
- What are you learning about yourself?
Your Powerful Questions:
Exercise 6: Group Facilitation Preparation
Facilitation Responsibilities (if you're facilitating):
- Create psychological safety: ____________________________________________
- Ensure all voices heard: ________________________________________________
- Address dynamics: ______________________________________________________
- Maintain time: _________________________________________________________
- Follow group norms: ____________________________________________________
Virtual Facilitation Considerations (if applicable):
- Technology setup: ______________________________________________________
- Connection and relationship building: ___________________________________
- Engagement strategies: _________________________________________________
Exercise 7: Group Evaluation
What Will Success Look Like?
Define 3-5 measures of group effectiveness:
How Will We Know We're Making Progress?
How Often Will We Evaluate?
Exercise 8: Sustaining the Group
Sustaining Engagement:
What will keep group members engaged and committed?
- Clear value: __________________________________________________________
- Regular meetings: _____________________________________________________
- Quality facilitation: _________________________________________________
- Peer support: _________________________________________________________
Handling Challenges:
What might derail the group? How will we address it?
- Challenge 1: _____________ Strategy: ___________________________________
- Challenge 2: _____________ Strategy: ___________________________________
Refreshing and Evolving:
How will we evolve as group progresses?
Exercise 9: Your Personal Peer Learning Practice
As a Group Member, how will you:
Prepare for meetings: _____________________________________________________
Participate authentically: _________________________________________________
Listen actively: ___________________________________________________________
Ask powerful questions: _____________________________________________________
Take action on insights: ____________________________________________________
Support peer growth: _______________________________________________________
Exercise 10: Implementation Timeline
Immediate (this week):
- Identify potential group members
- Have initial conversations
- Schedule planning meeting
Month 1:
- Finalize group membership
- Develop group charter
- Schedule first meeting
- Prepare members on peer coaching process
Months 2-3:
- Hold initial peer coaching sessions
- Refine structure and process
- Build relationships and trust
- Evaluate and adjust
Ongoing:
- Regular meetings and peer coaching
- Periodic evaluation and reflection
- Support for group members' development
- Continuous improvement
Action Commitments
I commit to:
Establishing or joining a peer learning group by: ___________________
Taking these specific steps this week: _______________________________
Developing these peer coaching skills: ______________________________
Contributing to group success by: __________________________________
Applying learning to my leadership challenges by: ___________________
Reflection
What excites you most about peer learning?
What concerns do you have?
What support do you need to succeed?
How will peer learning accelerate your development?