The Sport of Coaching

Coaching it's not just a game of sports any longer. Companies like Microsoft, Intel, AT&T, Hewlett Packard, etc., are utilizing the hottest thing in management these days. The coach, a coach is someone who has the skills to play consultant, friend and therapist.

Over the last several years, a keen interest in personal development and executive coaching has arisen in the general workforce. Recent articles in Fortune and Entrepreneur Magazine indicated that the hottest thing in management is the executive coach - part business advisor, part sounding board, part manager. Simply put, people want more out of life. A quality of life, if you will. They are turning to exte
al sources namely coaches, to assist them in achieving their personal goals and outcomes. Coaches have ventured beyond the boardroom when selling their services. Individuals at all levels and walks of life are turning to this new wave of organizational and personal development. Coaching is not however to be construed as a fad or new age.

That's exactly what James Olson-Murphy thought six years ago when a company providing coaching services approached him. "I thought these so called coaches where there to charm me or sell me snake oil. And, when I really needed them they would be gone like the wind with my hard earned cash." However, James was so impressed with the results he received from his coaching he become one himself.

Who are the promoters of this coaching wave and what are their credentials? As coaching proliferates, the competencies of an effective personal coach are increasingly important to define. So a better question might be what exactly does a coach do? Coaches become involved with their clients in setting individual goals and objectives. Once the goals are set, they help to determine the order of importance of those goals. While this may sound simple, the rising number of people turning to personal coaches is one indicator that many people are unable to reach their own goals without some guidance and feedback.

James Olson-Murphy President and CEO of the Olympia based James Olson-Murphy Companies, offers this explanation: "Coaches work with clients to start a new business or provide feedback on reaching organizational, personal and time management goals. Coaches essentially offer support when you need it and a kick in the seat of the pants when no one else will."

"We work with our clients to assist them in accomplishing more in their lives or how to do things better than they would have done on their own." James further adds that "just like personal trainers help people improve their physiques, having a coach helps you go from ordinary to extraordinary." Coaches act as personal trainers for the mental, spiritual and social/emotional aspects of life. "As a coach," James states, " I help to provide clients with tools, support and structure to accomplish more."

Much like the coach of a sports team, the client and coach work together on a regular basis. Personal coaches often work with their clients over the phone, however a locally based coach will usually meet with clients face to face. They converse between two and four times a month about whatever business and/or personal issues the client needs to discuss. These discussions range from the mundane (how to improve communications with subordinates) to the cosmic (what do you want to get out of life?). Fees can be charged in various ways and are often invoiced on a monthly basis. Cliental are very open to coaching and usually wish to remain anonymous. Most lists of cliental are highly confidential and usually include corporate executives, business owners, athletes and artists.

The expanding field of coaching should send a loud and clear message to organizations. Employees are demanding more out of life and work, and will go to great lengths to achieve a healthy balance. Coaching, mentoring and developing your staff are key components of management. These components must be emphasized in management and leadership development programs. Organizations will benefit from internal training programs that teach coaching skills to managers. Research suggests that employees who are coached create more satisfied customers than non-coached employees and enhance your organizational performance. Internal personal coaching helps retain employees because coached and developed employees are more loyal to their employers.

According to Workforce Magazine, so called "soft skills" are now proving to be more valuable than previously thought. The ability for managers to coach and develop employees and to help them reach their professional goals is a win-win situation for organizations.

Like all societal movements, only time will tell if coaching is here to stay. Coaching has been utilized for over twenty years by organizations. It is just now that it is really coming to light with the advent of massive career changes; organizations are trying to hold on to great employees and have a new awareness of our global society. Regardless, organizations should pay close attention to the fact that so many people are looking to personal and executive coaching as a way to help them attain their goals. In today's competitive market, having the edge can make all the difference. It's a reminder that people won't run on autopilot or by remote e-mail. No matter how much the world has changed, people on the job still need some mentoring, some monitoring, some meaningful interaction. And, if workers can't get that in-house they're likely to outsource it.

"Any organization could be in for a rude awakening when one day they realize they have no more customers, clients, or employees. That is, if the do not create the ability to be a key player in today's global market. And, if they don't realize that coaching is what will separate those who strive for excellence and those who just want to make a profit!"nnn