Clearly, a write up inspired by the area of coaching I am in, this post discusses whether individual coaching is something corporates should engage in or not.
Tell someone that you are a coach and still a majority will respond saying, “Oh, you are a corporate trainer?’ Coaching as a practice has come a long way in the last 20 years when it was practically non-existent. It has expanded its borders and encompasses some aspects of consulting, mentor, and therapist.
While a coach advises, helps in goal setting, and action planning like a consultant, they are not paid to come up with answers for the client. While a coach is paid to ask the right questions and explores subjective experiences, they are not expected to diagnose and prescribe.
The Current Landscape
More than 50% of coaches are still hired by companies to support their hi-potentials in transitioning to the top. The programs are designed for teams, groups, or levels largely to ensure retention of good talent and maximization of individual potential. Slightly more than a quarter of the coaches are engaged to give their opinions and advice on organizational dynamics or strategic matters. Less than 3% of coaches are hired to address non-work-related matters.
And here is the interesting part! More than 75% of the coaches mention that coaching invariably takes them into non-work-related and personal areas that are then discussed and addressed.
The Case for Individual Coaching Initiatives for Corporates
The above scenario goes to show that while corporates may look at their employees from a work-lens, life issues will always remain entangled for the executive. This is especially true for senior leaders who have responsibilities across borders leading to late night or early morning calls and ‘forever-on-call’ syndrome.
Mobile phones, laptops, increased bandwidths, higher internet speeds, and remote security protocols make it so much easier for us to work from any place in the world and therefore, at any time too!
Most senior executives find it stressful to manage a good balance between time spent on work, me-time, and time with family. Corporates that are truly invested in an employees’ well-being need to realize that true wellbeing can only be holistic in nature from an employees’ perspective. One cannot be a healthy and efficient worker when one is experiencing toxic thoughts at home or in his head!
Many corporates today, conduct webinars and talks on various wellness aspects such as eating right, stress management, work-life balance, and more. While motivating and helpful, they are, more often than not, forgotten after the talk finishes. It is seen as ‘class participation’ by many employees.
True coaching in personal areas can only occur at the individual level. This is when the coach and coachee connect and have a rapport that allows for further exploration of how things can be made better for that individual.
Benefits of Coaching for Individuals
Establishing Individual Goals
When a coach is engaged for the individual, it is an opportunity for the individual to work out his/her personal career goals and work towards them actively. Coaching can help in recording goals, milestones, and checkpoints to track progress.
However, corporates that facilitate or pay for such coaching should understand that the primary focus of the exercise should be directed towards individual employee goals. And so, if a situation arises where coaching leads to an exit rather than a continuation, it should still be considered a success if the employee got clarity from the sessions. In the long run, it is any way helpful for the company to not invest in someone who does not really want to be in the corporate! Tough one but an important one to internalize and accept!
Higher Engagement
Stress-free individuals, who are able to achieve good work-life balance, are able to engage better. Probabilities of experiences of flow and extreme focus are not uncommon when ‘All else is Well’.
Different Perspective
A good boss can be a great mentor and facilitator. However, the last thing that you want to tell your senior leader is about the issues you are having with your teenage child or how you feel drained at the end of the day. You feel that would only hamper your chances of climbing the corporate ladder!
A coach is an outside entity who can provide that safe space where confidential matters do not exit the door. It provides an opportunity to discuss issues like office squabbles that may otherwise hamper collaborative work, if not sorted!
Learning
Coaching is a great way in which individuals can evaluate themselves objectively, without fear of being judged. They can discuss and develop plans for skill acquisition, personality development, public speaking, communication issues, and confidence.
Self-Awareness
The process of coaching is often filled with ‘Aha’ moments. Blind spots are discovered, realizations dawn, and a new balance is acquired. When individuals make decisions from a place of self-awareness, they are likely to engage in positive behavior that results in collective growth.
The Future of Individual Coaching in Corporates
Today, corporates are actively engaged in the physical health of their employees. Some of the efforts include medical insurance, a safe environment to work, healthy food options, comfortable ventilation systems, and more. Of course, if an employee is hurt or sick, they have to be attended to and sick leaves are also granted.
However, there is little or no acknowledgment of mental wellbeing. Since stress, issues in work-life balance are not wounds you can see or vitals you can measure, they are often ignored. What good is a highly paid employee who has a head full of chaos and is only able to give you 30% of his potential on most days?
Some initiative corporates can take include:
- Coaching allowance as part of salary package
- Coach-on-call’ options for employees
- Extended coaching programs made available for senior leaders
The future of individual coaching for corporate employees is right around the corner! With high stress levels leading to burnouts every other day, corporates will have to acknowledge this need if they want to retain their best talent and continue to see them perform exceptionally!
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