Coaching in business is a management shift from command-and-control to support and guidance that is growing rapidly in prominence due to accelerated digital transformation.
Coaching is less about one individual sharing knowledge with another and more about reframing the workplace narrative and asking questions to get employees thinking creatively and constructively.
Coaching can provide improvements in five key areas according to a Human Capital Institute and International Coach Federation: team functioning, employee engagement, productivity, employee relations, and leadership development. The study also found that 51 percent of respondents from organizations with strong coaching cultures reported revenue above that of their industry peer group, and 62 percent of employees in those organizations rated themselves as highly engaged.
A management focus on coaching has a positive impact on managers as well: Managers who are held accountable for developing critical skills and career growth and hold employees accountable for reaching milestones and improving performance become better listeners and more emotionally intelligent.
Coaching can help employees build confidence, improve communication and accountability, and create a culture of gratitude by engaging employees, creating incentive through reward-based recognition, and providing a sense of belonging and empowerment on a meaningful and personal level, all of which organically permeate culture.
Training, learning, and career development are becoming increasingly critical elements of employer branding–digital transformation requires workers of all age groups to upskill, continue to train, and learn how to leverage digital tools and young workers overwhelmingly prioritize professional development and purpose over traditional factors like salary and health benefits when considering employers.
