Toolsheet 3 – Group coaching – The wall of assumptions versus blind spots

Even with good preparation, certain situations frequently arise:

• a group that keeps going in circles
• ideas that keep repeating without progress
• decisions made based on unquestioned assumptions
• difficulty innovating or moving beyond usual patterns
• hidden collective biases
• a sense of “déjà vu” in the discussions

👉And often, the problem is not a lack of ideas…
but unquestioned certainties that limit reflection.

In these moments…

The coach must be able to quickly reset direction, align without imposing, structure without rigidifying, and bring convergence without flattening contributions… without improvising, while maintaining the quality of the framework. 

Content of the capsule 3-  Group coaching

This toolsheet provides a complete tool, immediately usable in real-life situations.
1 – A clear presentation of the objective – Surface dominant assumptions and reveal blind spots

2 – General information about the tool

Duration (30 to 60 minutes)

Contexts of use

Benefits (stepping back, decision quality, innovation)

Points of attention (discomfort, distinction between ideas and people…)

3 – A detailed step-by-step guide – A progressive method: 

1. Set the framework and intention
2. Surface assumptions
3. Structure and clarify
4. Challenge assumptions
5. Reveal blind spots
6. Put things into perspective and open toward action

👉 With powerful questions to guide each step

4 – A coach quick-reference sheet – To facilitate easily in real time:

Key steps

Golden rules

Pitfalls to avoid

Signals to observe

Criteria for a good collective objective

5 – Facilitation variants – To enrich and adapt the exercise:

Systematic reversal

Cross-perspectives (stakeholders)

Radical external perspective

Prioritization of blind spots

To move from awareness to concrete action

Benefits for the coach

This toolsheet works as a true facilitation reflex tool that enables you to: 

• Unlock stuck situations : Identify what is truly limiting the group’s thinking
• Develop collective critical thinking : Turn certainties into questionnable hypotheses
• Improve decision quality : Reduce biases and broaden perspectives
• Foster innovation : Bring out options that were previously invisible
• Create useful awareness : Transform assumptions into actionable learnings
• Secure group dynamics : Establish a framework for exploration without direct confrontation

Who is this toolsheet for ?

This toolsheet is particularly useful for:

Professional coaches facilitating group workshops

Collective intelligence facilitators

Coaches in companies or organizations

Consultants and trainers supporting decision-making

In what contexts should it be used ?

It is particularly suitable for:

When the group is going in circles

When an important decision must be made

When innovation is blocked

When participants need to challenge a shared vision

When certain assumptions appear to be limiting the analysis

To go further

Discover the pack of 7 printable toolsheets – Group coaching 

Explore our series of 14 toolsheets for your individual and group coaching journeys