It seems that coaching is the next best profession to get into: we've got reports that some senior position coaches earn £1,000,000 a year by working with big firms in the City (listen to this week's podcast where we're joined by Training and Coaching Today editor John Charlton who explains more).
But seriously... a million quid? To ask some questions and enable the employee to come up with their own answers and solutions to development? John says that some charge £5,000 a session (an hour) and the large City firms tend to pay it as long as they get results.
There is some confusion about what exactly coaching is, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and how it differs from other ‘helping behaviours’ such as counselling and mentoring.
Broadly speaking, the CIPD defines coaching as ‘developing a person’s skills and knowledge so that their job performance improves, hopefully leading to the achievement of organisational objectives. It targets high performance and improvement at work, although it may also have an impact on an individual’s private life. It usually lasts for a short period and focuses on specific skills and goals.’
There is a lack of agreement among coaching professionals about precise definitions of what it is, although it is becoming more widely accepted in organisations. Generally, agreed characteristics of coaching in organisations, including:
- It is essentially a non-directive form of development.
- It focuses on improving performance and developing individuals’ skills.
- Personal issues may be discussed but the emphasis is on performance at work.
(Source: CIPD)
Yet the CIPD itself admits coaching is a "relatively new area there is still a lack of understanding about how best to use coaching and in what specific situations it will be most effective" - so how come some have managed to convince senior leaders of business it's worth a million smackeroons a year. Does it mean coaching is now widely accepted among organisations - what's your experience?
Anyway, good on those that can charge and then get that sort of money, that's what I say. And I'll be taking up my professional diploma in coaching shortly.
Comments (1)
Coaching is a current fad and as such the CIPD will be interested in it!
However, as a technique for business and personal development I am very interested in coaching. I have worked with several clients this year and introduced them to some basic coaching techniques (GROW). The general trend has been that they have found it interesting if challenging. A common response from executives is - "how can I have a conversation and not provide solutions?". there is often confusion about the word coach - after all the sports coach TELLS teams what to do....
So yes there is probably a need for definition but please let's not get into another debate (HR v Personnel etc) so much that we don't get on with it!
Happy New Year
Posted by Scott McArthur | December 31, 2007 3:18 PM
Posted on December 31, 2007 15:18