coaching it is a discipline that is used more and more in the business world all over the world. It is no exaggeration to say that today it is considered the fundamental tool for building high-performance teams, as well as for decision-making in contexts of uncertainty.
Why is it important for companies to provide their employees with this tool to better manage their work responsibilities? And what is the reason for this growing trend around the world, both for entire companies, as well as for leaders and teams?
The answer is simple, but not simple: in this fast-paced world where competition for talent is faster than ever, companies need to find ways to stay ahead by sustaining their productivity (so far, the simple part); at the same time, they seek centering and focus like never before (this is precisely what is not easy).
With the adoption of efficient management practices becoming more and more important, organizations are focusing on different ways to ensure that each person is doing their best. And one of the most effective ways to do this is through coaching.
What is coaching?
The definition of ICF, International Coaching Federation, which is the largest organization of certified professional coaches in the world, indicates that this discipline consists of a joint effort between those who are certified coaches and their clients, for example, people one on one, companies and teams. from any industry and sector.
It is a thoughtful and creative accompaniment process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, under ethical standards and values agreed upon worldwide.
Depending on the focus and corporate needs, it is the type of coaching to apply. For example, in the business world, processes called “executive coaching” (linking the business and people) and “business coaching” (focused more specifically on business development) are carried out.
The numbers of a growing trend
In early 2022, the ICF released its 2022 Global Consumer Awareness Study conducted in conjunction with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
The analysis is available in 17 languages, and is based on the processing of 30,727 responses from 30 countries and territories of people over the age of 18, where data about the application of coaching in different contexts was tabulated.
Millennials turned out to be the generation that knows coaching the most and that have had a relationship with coaches. 81% of that segment expressed that they are aware of the scope of coaching, compared to 51% of older generations. 47% of Millennials acknowledged having had a relationship with coaches, compared to 15% of people of other ages.
Among the greatest impacts that coaching has caused in the lives of these people, improvements in communication skills (42%), increased self-esteem and self-confidence (41%), balance of personal and professional life appear in the first positions. and increased productivity (both with 38%) and quality of life (35%).
Other concrete results of coaching according to the study are the optimization of individual and team performance (33%), the expansion of professional career opportunities (30%), the increase in tools for business strategies (30%), the acceleration of the landing process in new work roles (23%), while only 3% said they had not perceived any impact through coaching.
4 keys to keep in mind to implement coaching programs in a company
Although people often think that business coaching focuses solely on increasing the performance of members, increasing turnover and producing more, reality indicates that, in addition, awareness of corporate well-being is constantly growing. In fact, “Wellness coaching”, a specialization applied to well-being, is the second most requested global trend.
For this reason, it is important to point out that, although the results of the business are fundamental, at the same time there is a need to promote talent, attract it and retain it.
Reviewing these aspects, we find four central keys to take into account when wanting to implement coaching programs in any company:
1 – Be clear about the objective to be achieved
The goal needs to be aligned with total clarity before starting the process, since it works exactly the same as what we technically call “the agreement” in coaching, the initial instance of a conversation between coach and client, around which the results that are reached.
If the initial goal is confusing or very broad, possibly coaching will help to your extent; although the best result is achieved based on the precision of the corporate objective, which is aligned with the business plan and the company’s strategy. It also has to be framed before the staff to set expectations of both parties, and only then is it implemented.
2 – Measure in a tangible way what you want to achieve in the future
An executive coaching intervention needs to be aligned with the KPIs, the business indicators in general. If you don’t, you may not be able to link your results to the other bookmarks your company already has active.
For example, returning to the topic of developing people’s talent, how is it manifested, specifically, through coaching? Some ways that we are going to measure later are helping people become more self-sufficient, learning to work together and having more confidence in their roles and responsibilities. Also, to increase soft skills such as communication, empathy, creativity, innovation, team awareness, and knowing how to maintain quality conversations to transform them into excellent results.
3 – Coaching is a talent magnet
In addition to all the salary alternatives, and the emotional salary -which is not remunerative- that companies implement, there are hundreds of local and global companies that include the “Coaching” item within the benefits and compensation package they offer to their executives. and personal, because they know that it helps reduce turnover, lower the level of internal conflict, and strengthen ties.
In the statistics reflected above, it is clear that for the younger generations receiving professional coaching support in the company is a differential. Likewise, as Senior professionals are returning to assume leadership positions in all types of industries, they also appreciate that this type of support exists, which they see as a plus that, at the beginning of their careers, was not as frequent or accessible as currently.
4 – Coaching helps raise staff commitment
The other key to take into account is how a team is functioning in terms of responsibility and commitment to the role.
Coaching works very specifically on these aspects like no other discipline, because it does so in a generative way: the look is from today forward, not so much backwards as other organizational support interventions.
This is how professional coaching gives people an opportunity to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement while exploring their passions, desires and needs. Literally, people begin to see opportunities where before they only saw an impassable wall.
As you can see, this powerful awareness is useful not only for the company, but also on a personal level. As it is not possible to divide the personal and professional part, because at most different roles, capacities and abilities are assumed, when someone’s internal knowledge increases, they assume their work with more commitment and responsibility. -“the ability to respond”, as we usually say in the world of coaching. In this way, each person transforms, makes adjustments, visualizes objectives and draws the most direct plan to meet them.
These four ideas are just a synthesis of the clearest benefits of executive coaching that is applied in all kinds of industries. By doing so with continuity and led by certified professionals, they will be better equipped to navigate today’s challenging business landscape.
Yes: you read correctly, the panorama can be difficult. Although “difficult” is not the same as “impossible”: that is why coaching is one of the most powerful tools to build bridges and transform realities, even in dark and uncertain scenarios. In other words, it serves to make possible what until a few minutes ago seemed impossible.
daniel colombo Facilitator and Master Executive Coach specialized in senior management, professionals and teams; mentor and professional communicator; international speaker; author of 31 books. LinkedIn Top Voice Latin America. ICF certified; Certified Coach and Member of John Maxwell Team.