If you’ve searched for a coach, you’ve probably seen two types of options: 1:1 sessions with a coach, and group coaching sessions.

What’s the difference, and when should you choose each?

What 1:1 coaching delivers

Personal attention. You set the agenda and move at your pace. A coach tailors questions, tools, and accountability to your goals.

• Depth of work: you and the coach go straight to your context, decisions, and roadblocks.

• Privacy: sensitive topics stay in the room, which increases candor.

• Flexibility: easier to schedule, easier to course-correct between sessions.

• Measurement: goals can be defined tightly, then tracked session to session.

Best when you want rapid behavior change, need to prepare for a high-stakes moment, or prefer private reflection over group discussion.

What group coaching delivers

Shared learning. A small cohort works through similar themes with a coach facilitating.

• Perspective: you hear how peers solve similar problems and test your own assumptions.

• Practice: role-plays and discussions create reps you can’t do alone.

• Accountability: the group expects progress; that social pressure drives follow-through.

• Access: per-person cost is lower, and you get more total touchpoints through peers.

Best when you want peer feedback, a sense of community, or a longer arc of development with steady momentum.

Key differences at a glance

• Focus: 1:1 centers on your specific outcomes; group balances individual progress with cohort goals.

• Speed: 1:1 moves faster on personal blockers; group compounds learning across examples.

• Safety: 1:1 maximizes psychological safety; group sets norms to keep discussion productive.

• Cost: 1:1 commands a higher rate per person; group spreads costs across a cohort.

• Network: 1:1 builds a bond with one coach; group expands your leadership network.

How to choose based on your current goal

Ask yourself:

• Do I need a quick result on a defined goal? Go 1:1.

• Do I want to broaden my toolkit and compare approaches? Join a group.

• Am I avoiding a topic because it feels sensitive? Start 1:1 to build traction.

• Would feedback from peers help me test ideas? Choose group.

• Is budget tight but I still want expert guidance? Group offers better dollar-per-touchpoint.

Sample use cases

• New role or promotion: 1:1 to shape a 90-day plan and sharpen decision habits.

• Team culture reset: group with your leads to align norms, then 1:1 for each lead’s behavior change.

• Communication skills: group for practice and real-time feedback, plus optional 1:1 for high-stakes prep.

• Strategic thinking: 1:1 to build the cadence of weekly strategy work, then group to pressure-test plans.

What a strong program looks like

• Clear, measurable goals set up front.

• A simple tracking cadence (weekly or biweekly metrics, behaviors, and wins).

• Real practice: simulations, shadowing, and debriefs—not just talk.

• Structured reflection so insights become habits.

A practical hybrid

You don’t have to choose only one path. Many leaders run a light 1:1 cadence for sensitive topics while using group sessions for practice and peer learning. Another option: start with 1:1 to build momentum, then shift to a group for ongoing reinforcement.

Hopefully now, you understand the difference between 1:1 coaching and group coaching sessions. There isn’t really a “better” option so much as what might work better for you, your goals, and your style.

Speaking of which, you can also try AI coaching. We built an AI leadership coaching assistant that runs on your schedule, asks targeted questions, tracks your goals, and suggests next actions after each session. Try a short session, see how it fits your workflow, and tell us what you think.