Coaching Explained
Coaching Defined
Coaching is quickly becoming one of the leading tools and strategies that successful people are using in order to enhance their lives further and allow them to lead extraordinary lives.
"When looking to enhance knowledge and ability, even the most elite and talented athletes need a coach, someone who will help them analyse their performance and set goals for what they want to achieve in the future, and direction in achieving those goals. Business is no different." (Rebecca Spicer, "The Coaching Drill", Dynamic Business, July 2007)
A coach is a "trusted' role model, advisor, wise person, friend, Mensch, steward or guide - a person who works with emerging human and organisational forces to tap new energy and purpose, to shape new visions and plans, and to generate desired results. A coach is someone trained and devoted to guiding others into increased competence, commitment and confidence." (F. Hudson, Handbook of Coaching, 1999)
Why is Coaching Necessary?
4. Because coaching has the means to allow individuals to reach their goals and their dreams in a way that they could not do alone themselves.
Where has Coaching Come From?
During the 1960's, the business world started to look at sports coaching and adapt the techniques for use in training and development. These techniques have been developed and enhanced and today coaching is one of the fastest-growing personal development strategies used by CEO's, senior managers, entrepreneurs, professionals and people generally wanting to improve their situation.
It's a Partnership
The coaching relationship is a partnership - an equal relationship allowing the client room to move yet being accountable so that he / she can be the kind of person that they would like to be, to achieve the kind of life that they would like to have, and to achieve the goals that they would like to gain.
The Core of Coaching
A solution focused approach says that when faced with an issue, it is important to:
What is the Role of the Coach?
"The Guide on the side, not the Sage on the Stage"
It is a kind of journey through the woods, but the coach is not like a tour leader who has necessarily been there before and knows the track well. Instead, it is more akin to a fellow traveller who has never been in those woods, but who is skilled in dealing with the undergrowth and dealing with the elements and finding a way through - sometimes the coach walks in front, sometimes behind and sometimes alongside, but always there.
What is the Coach's Responsibility?
It is the coach's responsibility to:
How is Coaching Different from Therapy or Counselling?
Coaching is not counselling or therapy, but it does use techniques derived from clinical psychology. The main differences are:
What are the Pre-Requisites for Coaching Success?
Coaching works well when two prime factors are present:
These are the critical ingredients for a successful coaching relationship where with support, you can develop the right strategy, implement a plan of action and achieve your goals.
What are the Benefits of Coaching?
Training VS Coaching
"Thirty-one managers underwent a conventional mangerial training program which was followed by eight weeks of one-on-one executive coaching. Training increased productivity by 22.4%. The coaching which included: goal setting, collaborative problem solving, practice, feedback, supervisory involvement, evaluation of end-results, and a public presentation, increased productivity by 88.0%, a significantly greater gain compared to training alone".
Olivero, G et al., "Executive Training as Transfer of Training Tool: Effects on Productivity in a Public Agency", Public Personnel Management, 26 (4), 1997, p461-469.)
A Survey of 4000 Corporations
"A survey of more than 4000 corporations revealed that corporate coaching improves the performance of individuals, leads to better client service, raises confidence, improves relationships that work, develops people for the next level and increases goal achievement. These benefits lead to increased profits and competitiveness for the company and better employee retention".
("Coaching can be a good thing for organisations and employees alike" Training and Development, February 2000.)
Management Coaching in USA
A survey in the USA found that 90% of American workers who have had on-the-job coaching or mentoring believe it was an effective development tool, yet only 38% of the workforce has ever had a coach or mentor.
The "most useful" factors that managers received in their coaching were the following:
(Peterson, D et al., Management Coaching at Work: Current Practice in Multinational and Fortune 250 Companies, Personnel Decisions International, 1997)
The Leadership Employment And Direction 2001 Survey (LEAD Survey)
Conducted by Leadership Management Australia (LMA), the LEAD survey is one of the most significant surveys conducted into workplace issues in Australian business. It researched 2,300 business leaders, senior managers, and employees during 2001. Specifically this included: 300 business leaders, 495 senior managers, and 1560 employees.
Some of the Key Findings:
"One of the major trends to emerge this year is the positive role that mentoring/coaching can play in business. Proactive policies and practices that encourage the development of formal and informal mentoring / coaching models will address a number of the concerns we have seen emerge this year. In particular, coaching will help keep older workers engaged, ensure skills are transferred and assist career advancement while strengthening the understanding and respect across all levels within organisations" (Grant Sexton, Managing Director, LEAD Survey).
In relation to Career Development:
Among Senior Managers;
Among Employees;
In relation to Executive Coaching:
Among Business Leaders;
Among Senior Managers
Finally, most Business Leaders and Senior management surveyed believed that work pressures for employees will increase in the future.
The key therefore, is to better utilise the available resources in an organisation and become more clever in the harnessing of people's talents. In this context, coaching can play a much more prominent part in the development of staff and is essential in the developing and retaining the right people.