According to the “Coaching Camp: Building a Winning Professional Development Playbook” report by Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), a significant 85% of employees believe having a coach for professional advice is crucial. The study highlights the importance of coaching in enhancing employee engagement and development.
- Survey Scope: AWI surveyed 1,500 U.S. and Canadian employees.
- Importance of Coaching: 85% of employees find workplace coaching essential for their professional growth.
- Current Challenges: Only 17% know how to find the right coach when needed.
Traits of Effective Coaches
- High Engagement Correlation: Employees who are highly engaged at work are twice as likely to have great coaches.
- Coach Archetypes:
- Gold Medal – The Player Coach (32%): Leads by example, often stepping up informally (e.g., Simone Biles).
- Silver Medal – The Friend Coach (30%): Compassionate and supportive, with strong listening skills (e.g., Ted Lasso).
- Bronze Medal – The Visionary Coach (16%): Inspirational and purpose-driven, motivating others to aim high (e.g., Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski).
- Less Popular Archetypes:
- Specialist/Expert (11%)
- Disciplinarian (10%)
Coaching and Recognition Synergy
- Impact of Recognition: Employees who feel recognized are twice as likely to be confident in their development and to lead high-performing teams.
- Development and Coaching: Recognized employees are 76% more likely to pass on valuable skills and knowledge as coaches.
Competitive Gen Z
- Competitiveness: Gen Z workers are the most competitive age group, often feeling jealousy and stress related to performance.
- External Pressures: They are twice as likely to experience stress from competitive work environments, affecting their mental health.
AWI’s report underscores the critical role of effective coaching in employee engagement and professional growth. Organizations should focus on training all employees to be effective coaches and recognize efforts to foster a supportive and productive work environment.
