Providing staff with the opportunity to receive coaching is becoming increasingly popular amongst organisations. While the service may have been in the past primarily reserved for senior managers and company directors, more and more companies are now utilising it for staff in all positions, embedding the practice within working culture as an extremely effective development tool.
Professional, expert coaching can be exceptionally valuable for companies looking to get the very best out of employees and enhance their performances which, of course, positively impacts upon the organisation, significantly improving the service it provides to clients. A common perception, however, is that coaching involves more remedial work and is a practice brought in to assist with the resolving of difficult and problematic issues, but it can be used by individuals and organisations simply looking to maximise working performances. It is now utilised, for example, by successful 'high-fliers' in the business world to develop and fine-tune their abilities - assisting them, for example, in improving their motivation and leadership skills, in turn enhancing their ability to communicate and unleashing their creativity.
A growing number of organisations employ external coaches and as Annette Evans, director of North-east-based coaching and facilitation specialists, Unleash Potential International, says, they enjoy many additional benefits from utilising the services of a highly qualified, independent coaching organisation. She said: "By using an external coach, companies can experience greater results, with the coaching proving to be far more effective. A key element to this is, of course, that the coach is neutral and therefore wholly objective. "Throughout the coaching process, ensuring the 'coachee' is confident and assured regarding confidentiality is an absolute must and employing a coach from outwith the organisation sets their mind at rest, safe in the knowledge that they can discuss even the most sensitive information - something the majority of people find uncomfortable with their line managers, for example." "And through having no day-to-day ties with the specific organisation, the coach can bring a fresh perspective to the table, meaning they can look and assess events with more clarity, assisting them in identifying issues and attitudes which may need to be focused on." As the appreciation of the effectiveness of coaching - and the invaluable contribution it can make to an organisation's overall objectives - increases, the unique, professional services Unleash Potential International provides are being used by an increasing number of companies working in a range of diverse sectors. Annette said: "More and more companies are recognising the huge, positive impact coaching can have on members of a workforce. The feedback we have received from companies we have worked with has been incredibly positive, with each reaping the rewards from providing coaching for teams of staff or individual employees. "Our Fast Track Arrivals programme, for example - which coaches employees and their partners who have moved to a new area to take up a position, assisting them in integrating as quickly and effectively as possible - provides valuable benefits for companies. "As well as maximising a business' return from their recruitment and relocation investments and helping the individual to 'hit the ground running' through assisting them in effectively contributing to their new workplace quicker, the programme can have a major impact on recruiting and retaining the best talent. "Staff feel valued by the exceptional effort an organisation has put in to ensuring their move has been as smooth as possible for, not just the individual, but their family greatly enhancing their loyalty to the organisation."
Another area Unleash Potential International specialises in is bullying in the workplace. Annette recently delivered a presentation about the topic at one of the human resources industry's most prestigious national events the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) Scottish Conference 2008. Annette says the effect bullying can have on an individual's performance in the workplace cannot be underestimated but there are practical, highly effective models and methods which can resolve issues. She said: "Situations involving bullying are extremely stressful for staff, not only the individuals directly involved but often the larger teams they are part of, and this has a restricting effect on the specific department, affecting the productivity and standard of work it produces. "However, through effective coaching, these issues can be fully resolved but this is not simple and straightforward, it involves a complete mind shift towards realising what is possible." "So, through focusing on great results from great relationships, coaching can provide organisations with the opportunity to develop staff and fully maximise their performances, meaning, of course, the standard and quality of service the business offers is truly maximised."
Unleash Potential International provides coaching, facilitation, teambuilding and psychometric assessment services to a range of companies throughout the UK and Internationally. Every service provided by the team is conducted on a totally confidential basis.
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