Thinking about bringing coaching into your Organization? First consider what your understanding of professional coaching is and what you wish to gain from hiring a coach to work within your organization.

Often what prompts an organization to bring coaching into their organization is when they realize their organization, or their leaders, are not maximizing their potential; they recognize there is room for growth and development and there is opportunity for change. Some may argue this is a constant.

The use of professional coaches in organizations large and small has been growing exponentially for the past twenty years, often to help entrepreneurs or small business owners, leadership teams, managers and even individual contributors embrace the changes necessary to take themselves, their teams, or their business to the next level.

As a professional coach, I’ve spoken with and worked with a variety of organizations in different capacities. Coaching is now a common term used in businesses of all shapes and sizes, yet is there consistency in the way the term is used and what people expect coaching to be? You decide.

What is coaching?

The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential”. “Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole.”

Some may be surprised at this definition as it suggests the coach is not to be the problem solver, and is not the one with the answers. How does this shift your perspective of how you’ve been “coaching” your direct reports or receiving “coaching” from your manager? What changes might you consider?

What types of growth and development might a coach address?

Some of the most common challenges for business owners and organizational leaders include communicating in a clear and concise manner, setting goals, prioritizing, maintaining focus, and being self-aware. As such, partnering with a coach to overcome these challenges benefits the individual and the organization as a whole. Through a coaching partnership, clients gain clarity, acknowledge their limiting beliefs, consider new perspectives, set goals, take action and move forward. As a guide, a coach provides structure and holds the client accountable for the commitments they make, helping them to enhance their effectiveness as leaders.

What’s next for you? What areas would be most helpful for you to develop? What goals are you ready to set for yourself and which actions do you need to commit to in order to achieve your goals?

If you are ready to embark on what’s next, or find yourself struggling with the above questions, working with a coach could prove beneficial. Let me know if you are curious. Sign up for a complimentary coaching session  by email at heidi@heidiwerther.com or call me at 617.365.9550. I’d be honored to work with you or if you have leaders in your organization you feel would benefit by working with a professional coach, we can arrange a time to discuss the optimal arrangement.