Business coaching sounds like it might be something quite complex, however, it’s easier to think of it as sports coaching. A sports coach will push their athlete to the limits, provide mental support when their athlete feels the pressure and guide the athlete, using their skill set, to keep them one step ahead of the field. Business coaches do the same but for individuals within organizations. They provide guidance, encouragement, support and, of course, accountability to foster leadership development. So if you want your management to stay one step ahead of the field, you should consider coaching them.
The Changing Nature Of Business Leadership Coaching
In the devilish world of business during the 1960s and 1970s, business leadership coaching was practically unheard of. When it finally did start to take off in the 1980s and 1990s, coaches were hired to come in and fix toxic behavior that was rife at the top of a company. It was usually for abrasive executives who, if their behavior wasn’t rectified, were likely to be looking for a new job. Back then; it was a badge of shame. Retired CEOs, think tank analysts, governmental employees, and academic experts were usually the go-to experts. But, from the 2000s onward, executive business coaching changed.
In today’s world, it’s all about developing your high-potential performers, so they have the capabilities to be leaders of both the future and the present. The backgrounds of preferred coaches are diverse and include consultants, psychologists and those with a background in human resources. These days, coaching is a badge of honor.
The key area where a coach can help is in developing the people-orientated skills of those they are coaching. As the environments that businesses navigate become more and more complex, coaches are needed to help executives in understanding and learning how to act in certain situations.
What Professional Business Coaching Can Do For Your Organization
It’s easy to understand and see why companies seek professional business coaching. In fact, in the US alone, 40,000 people work in the business coaching profession. It’s a $2.4 billion industry that is growing at a rate of 18% per year. Research shows that businesses will often repeat their usage of coaches, which demonstrates their value to executives, and also that business coaching programs have a positive effect on the workplace.
However, you’ll no doubt be curious about the specifics of what they can do for your organization. According to Sam Ovens, the list is exhaustive. Coaches can, on an individual level, enhance strategic thinking, help develop an executive’s presence, positively affect organizational effectiveness, manage their client’s performance, improve their interpersonal skills and intrapersonal knowledge, help with professional goals or support them during a career transition.
They can also help, as has been tradition, individuals deal with conflict. Spread across numerous executives, this can foster an effective team of people who have the interpersonal skills necessary to go to the next level.
However, coaches can also provide valuable insight into your company with their “outsight,” acting as a sounding board on any organizational and strategic matters. Essentially, they can do whatever you need them to do to take your business to the next level!
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