A large percentage of London professionals believe that executive coaching would improve their performance at work, a study has concluded.
Research by The School of Coaching found that over three quarters of the capital's executives appreciate the virtues of coaching, and 57 per cent said they would feel jealous if a colleague at a similar level was receiving coaching.
Firms in London's West End were the most likely to provide coaching for their staff, with over half of the firms there offering it, compared to just a quarter in the rest of the capital.
Myles Downey, MD of The School of Coaching, warned that UK plc could be missing a trick in developing and retaining staff, adding that executive coaching is no longer the preserve of the boardroom.
"Innovative companies that care as much about their staff as their profits are looking to coaching at all levels," he said.
7 Responses
Wow! More self-serving research!
The school of coaching, has found that people “believe” they need more coaching. Well I’d never have credited it.
I particularly like “a large percentage” – what percentage exactly and what questions were used to determine this?
57% would feel jealous – so what? Employers are supposed to develop people according to their needs not their wants.
Finally where is the research to show measurable performance improvements due to this kind of coaching? Not “beliefs” but facts – am I asking for the impossible?
Must try harder
Trainingzone,
You’ve really got to question whether this is legitimate research or advertising.
“A large percentage” – come on, what serious analysis quotes this is their conclusions? With no sample suvey and no report or reference to the survey on the company’s website one has to seriously question how these ‘news items’ manage to gain such high profile on websites.
Or is it that everyone is desperate for copy no matter how much PR is involved???
A Plea!
I agree…yet another so-called news story that may not actually help our industry. If we, as learning and development professionals, want to be taken more seriously by business leaders, then we need to back up our arguments with clear facts and figures. For too long, we’ve relied on anecdotal comments, that can easily be shot down in flames.
So, TrainingZone (and others), by all means feature these “news stories” but only as part of an article where you’ve interviewed (and challenged) the authors.
a few questions in the spirit of coaching.
OK, the article is low on statistical analysis and high on loose, anecdotal comment but doesn’t it all bring us back to the philosophical question, “Is there such a thing as a truly altruistic act?”
Would it have been less “annoying” if The School of Coaching had offered a link to allow readers to actually check out the full research?
If this is a shallow piece of PR rather than a scholarly announcement has it not succeeded in getting some reaction?
Much serious research begins its public life as a couple of “factoids” headlined to gain a reaction and tweak the interest, is this really any different?
Does the L&D Community do itself more harm than good by engaging in an internecine squabble in a public forum?
Does anyone else find the term “UK plc” as bl***y annoying as I do?
Rus
When is news not news?
Does anyone else find the term “UK plc” as bl***y annoying as I do?
Yes I do, in their gullibility.
As for altruism, there is no cause for despair, its alive and well. Take a look at “Who wants to be a Millionnaire” where ask the audience generates lots of altruistic responses from complete strangers with nothing to gain. Look at the “Price is Right” and the inumerable times people help strangers in the street, the blind etc.
However this article in firmly centred in the commercial world where considerably more perspicacity is require before accepting that ‘news’ is just that.
No Altruism it’s true
I’m not convinced that altruism exists – and that’s why I feel its necessary for us as a profession to rubbish research like this.
The stuff that catches the headlines from our profession is always useless gunk like this – lousy research dressed as fact.
I’ve spent a large chunk of my career trying to persuade employers that training should be a strategic function and rewarded alongside the other skilled professions financially.
This case is very difficult to make when its clear that the main mouthpieces for the profession publicly are fools that can’t make a business case – and don’t think that boards around the country don’t notice this.
Why is it that an IT manager for a medium size firm can command an 80 – 100K salary but a training manager goes for around 25K? Because we are seen as part of the “those who can do, those who can’t teach” and as a tiny brancy of the “strategically important” HR function. Rather than as a profession with real skills and strategic value.
Coaching is a particular bug bear – because a large chunk of its current practitioners believe that coaching is nothing more than an amateur version of psychoanalysis (let the coachee discover their inner path – do not give them guidance or advice) and any fool can call themselves an executive coach. I am yet to see a coaching qualification aimed at the executive market that requires a broad base of business skills (let’s say 5 -7 years senior management/board level experience or an MBA) as a starting point for the qualification. Ironic isn’t it that footballers get highly qualified coached to kick a bag of pigskin around but the business leaders of today are coached by any idiot off the street.
And if we don’t say anything – then who will? I don’t believe that The School of Coaching, will ever publish research to show that executive coaching is as effective as throwing the executive naked into a room full of lions and if they can “problem solve” their way out before the lions eat them they will become succesful – though it’s quite possibly true.
wow!
Blimey Nik!
Naked executives and lions!
I think you have a winning formula for the next reality TV show; “The Naked Apprentice Big Cat Diary”
That call from an ethical independent BBC TV producer should be coming through any minute
Rus