The Benefits of Coaching

Business coaching is an emerging profession. If you haven't heard about coaching, you will. Fortune 500 corporations have used coaches for many years. In recent years coaching has spread to small and medium sized businesses. In its early days, coaches were most often given remedial assignments. They were called in to address a specific performance problem, perhaps to turn around a valued employee who was going through a rough time. Today, coaching is also a proactive tool for grooming future leaders, developing existing leaders, enhancing personal and team performance and improving the work-life balance.

Coaching has many benefits. An independent study of coaching clients by Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP for the International Coaching Federation, the leading coaching association, indicates that the primary positive impacts of coaching include improved self-confidence (80%), improved relationships (73%), improved communication skills (72%), improved work performance (70%) and improved work-life balance (67%).

The same study presented the financial benefits of coaching as determined by clients. The study states "The median company return is 700% indicating that typically a company can expect a return of 7 times the initial investment."

Coaching typically involves initial research and development of a customized coaching program followed by weekly sessions, either in person or by telephone. Sessions normally last one hour, during this time issues are discussed, progress is reviewed and short term goals are set. The duration of the coaching program is usually 3 to 6 months, though some coaching relationships can last indefinitely.