Coaching can be a very powerful way to help managers to improve their performance. A recent study by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) identified that 92% of mangers who received coaching said that their performance improved as a result.
A coach can help a manager to perform at their peak, by enabling them to take time out, sit back, take stock of where they are and think about where they are going next. Managers can become so embroiled in their day to day work that they lose focus and can go off track, forgetting about the longer term responsibilities of development and improvement.
A coach can help a manager focus on what is truly important, and to overcome obstacles that may be preventing them from performing at their peak. They achieve this not by telling the manager what to do, but by encouraging them to question themselves, to gain greater insights and help them come up with solutions that they are committed to. A good coach will also provide clear and honest feedback, something that isn’t always readily available from a manager’s boss or team.
While many organisations provide coaching, it is often aimed at more senior managers. However, the greatest benefit to an organisation from coaching will be that it becomes part of everyday management. With commercial and competitive pressures continually rising, managers who have coaching skills are much better placed to help their staff develop and perform at a higher level.
The final word should probably be left to the ILM, who believe that developing managers’ coaching skills is the single most cost effective development investment a business can make.