The rise of coaching signals a UK management revolution

Citation

(2000), "The rise of coaching signals a UK management revolution", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 19 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmd.2000.02619aab.001

The rise of coaching signals a UK management revolution

The rise of coaching signals a UK management revolution

New research from The Industrial Society signals a boom in new management skills in Britain. Coaching investigates the use of business coaching in UK organisations and finds that it is likely to become the most sought after management skill over the next decade.

Of leading employers, 70 per cent now use coaching in the workplace - a huge rise given that just three years ago only half that number (36 per cent) used coaches. Yet The Industrial Society is warning that the pace of the "coaching revolution" may threaten its success. A total of 45 per cent say that inadequate skills are the biggest threat to the success of this new management wave. While the research reveals that more and more coaches in the workplace receive some training, only 24 per cent of employers provide specific training for all their coaches. Over half provide no support or development for coaches on an ongoing basis. Moreover, few employers are checking the results. A total of 60 per cent of employers do not formally evaluate their coaching – a set back from 1996, when only 20 per cent failed to carry out evaluation.

The research reveals that coaching brings a range of business benefits to employers. The top five are:

1. 1.

   Allows fuller use of individuals’ talents/potential (79 per cent).

2. 2.

   Demonstrates commitment to individuals and their development (69 per cent).

3. 3.

   Higher organisational performance/productivity (69 per cent).

4. 4.

   Increased creativity, learning and knowledge management (63 per cent).

5. 5.

   Motivates people (57 per cent).

The research report Coaching is published by The Industrial Society, £60. Copies can be ordered by calling 0870 400 1000 (UK).