Professional coaching in the workplace
coaching in business and life itself is still very much in its infancy in the UK. So, what does a coach actually do? You could say “a coach is someone who helps people do whatever they do not want to do so they can do what they really want to do”.
It is becoming increasingly popular as organisations are becoming more aware of the value of coaching to help with staff motivation and retention. The coach and client work on a one-to-one basis, collaboratively seeking a solution and formulating an action plan. The coach’s role is to facilitate the process enabling the client to self-help. The principle behind this model of coaching is that each individual is resourceful but at times they may need a helping hand to find those resources.
Giving clients time and space and really listening to them can be an extremely powerful experience. The coach is their own tool and by asking direct and appropriate questions the client will gain the insight and clarity they may have been unable to reach previously.
This type of coaching is very different from consulting where a problem is identified and a specific solution is suggested to resolve it. Nor is it like therapy or counselling since the general issues discussed are practical rather than deep seated emotional ones.
Examples of why organisations hire coaches and how it can help are given below:
Organisations may hire coaches to:
- Prepare staff for promotion
- Motivate staff during a period of change
- Resolve conflict issues
- Help managers more effectively lead their teams
- Build the management and communication skills of staff
- Set up systems for personal organisation and efficiency
Coaching can help people:
- Do more than one person can on their own
- To focus, thereby producing results more quickly
- Have insight and a fresh perspective when stuck or in doubt
- Set goals and reach them
- Identify limiting self-beliefs
- Develop strengths and confidence
The sponsor (the organisation hiring the coach) will normally advise the coach what outcomes they want to see in the client (the person being coached) and a benchmarking agreement is established. The coaching sessions are totally confidential between the coach and client. Therefore, evaluation and reporting back to the sponsor is done without divulging details of the sessions but concentrating on the overall outcomes. Without this confidentiality the full benefits of coaching are eroded as the unique trust a client has with a coach cannot be created.
Oatmeal has coaches throughout the UK, if you'd like some help, please contact us.
