HBR recently surveyed 140 Business Coaches, the resulting survey was then reviewed by respondents and “five experts.” Here are the findings
The Headlines of the HBR Business Coach Study
- The Bar Must Be Raised – Coaches shouldn’t be able to just hang up a shingle and call themselves a coach. Experience and Training Count.
- Fixing Toxic Corporate Culture Major Driving Force – Over the last decade, coaches were engaged to fix the toxic behavior of corporate leaders.
- Development of Top Performers – Companies are realizing that offering coaches to top performers is a wise investment.
- Blurred Lines – Coaches and clients should be aware of the difference between a business coach and a therapist.
- Gaining Legitimacy – Coaching is more and more being acknowledged as providing value.
- Buyer Beware – Check out references, experience, training before hiring a coach.
HBR Business Coach by the numbers
HBR Business Coach Buying Guidelines
Other HBR Business Coach Study Findings
Ingredients of a successful coaching relationship
- Is the executive highly motivated to change – the best coaching recipients are green and growing, lifelong learners.
- Good chemistry between coach and client is essential.
- The C-suite needs must be committed to retaining and developing coached executives.
- Shifting focus – expect the original purpose of engaging a coach to shift.
Food for Thought
My experience of over a decade of business coaching and training find the HBR Business Coach Study to be an accurate representation. Coaches make a difference. The chemistry between coach and coachee and the coachees willingness to change are two major factors in the success of a business coaching relationship. When selecting a coach it’s important to consider if the coach has a relevant business experience… if for example, you are a CEO, was your coach ever a CEO? Does your coach have a clear methodology? Does your potential coach have high-quality clients?
Want to find out what coaching is all about? Want to see if I could be the right coach for you or are you just curious about what does it feel like to be coached? Let’s see if you and I have the chemistry for a profitable coaching relationship. Find out if you want to change or if you only tell yourself you are willing to change. Make a change to improve your performance. Try a complimentary, no-obligation, online one-on-one coaching session by scheduling a Skype coaching session. Press that little green button down there.
