Coaching Camp: Building a winning professional development playbook

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As we celebrate the upcoming international sporting season and its world-class athletes, don’t forget that no one reaches the podium without a great coach. Behind every successful athlete or sports team is a great coach who strategizes, gives constructive feedback, motivates, and empowers their players to be their best self.

In the corporate world, coaching is just as crucial in building highly committed teams that excel and drive organizational performance.

A recent research study from Achievers Workforce Institute shows that over 80% of employees struggle to find a coach when needed. More younger workers are entering the workforce and expecting companies to show continuous investment in their learning and development. Many companies, however, are not meeting employees’ needs and overlooking the impact this has on organizational success, including workers retention and engagement. While 85% of workers say it is important that they have a coach at work who they can go to for professional advice, only 17% know how to find one when needed. This gap underscores the need for a more efficient and accessible coaching program that enables employees to match with their suitable coaches.

Are managers always the right coach for their employees?

Managers are expected to offer relevant coaching to their direct reports; however, a June 2024 survey of 1,500 employees shows that only 1 in 10 employees say they get all the coaching they need from their current manager. This number urges HR leaders to reflect on their approach and redefine their company’s professional development framework: How do we effectively support employees when they want to learn a new skillset?

Who is the competitive athlete at work?

Gen Z emerged as the competitive generation at work as these younger workers are more likely to say they feel jealous and competitive when their teammate succeeds and receives acknowledgement. Whether this stems from an innate desire to win or external factors at work, HR leaders are prompted to create a coaching culture that caters to employees’ unique wants and needs.

What makes an excellent coach?

Coaching often implies a learning process in which an expert or leader passes down knowledge and skills to a less experienced player. However, the modern workforce is challenging this notion as employees want coaches who act as team players themselves. Skills such as active listening, ability to give actionable and constructive feedback, and employee recognition are top traits that employees look for in a coach.

A culture of coaching that drives impact

Coaching goes hand in hand with frequent and meaningful recognition. Less than a quarter (24%) of employees say they feel confident in their next professional development step. However, those who feel meaningfully recognized at work are 2.3x more likely to say they feel confident and capable of managing unexpected challenges, and that their team is high performing compared to others.

Read more about best coaching practices to drive an engaged workforce in Coaching Camp: Building a winning professional development playbook report.