Coaching with a Purpose

TTI Performance Systems, Ltd. 8Criteria for selecting a coach varies, but most consider the followingbusiness experience: a relevant coaching specialization, priorexperience coaching in that area, industry experience specific tothe business at hand, or experience in business, law, HR, teachingor sports. Figure 4 shows that references from a trusted source arefrequently cited as well. This may explain why so many participants(93%) select a coach who is external to their organization. 8The Match is CriticalJust as performance success is directly related to the quality ofmatch between the employee and the job, the match betweenthe coach and coachee is critical to the success of the coachingprocess. Both the coach’s expertise and their ability to connectwith the coachee matter, as shown in Figure 5. In a 2010 HarvardBusiness Review report on coaching, “The survey data support thisemphatically: Willingness and good chemistry were by far the mostfrequently cited ingredients of a successful coaching relationship.” 9Figure 5 - Matching Coaches with EmployeesRespondents frequently or a great deal use:North American InternationalCoaches’ expertise or issue to be solved 73.7% 92.5%Personality as a criteria to match 45.5% 66.7%“Coaching, A Global Study of Successful Practices, Current Trends and Future Possibilities 2008 - 2018”, p. 49,American Management AssociationThis is consistent with a large global study conductedby the International Coach Federation in which 96%of respondents rated personal rapport, personalcompatibility and the coach’s confidence as three of thetop four critical considerations in choosing a coach. 10At first glance this may be surprising, but given the duration ofthe relationship and the up-close sharing of challenging worksituations, it is logical. Individuals need a high trust relationshipboth to rely on the coach’s discretion regarding confidential mattersand to take in and act on coaching feedback. This comfort level is so©2010 Target Training International, Ltd. 102110 Coaching with a Purpose: Is Your Coaching Job Related? | 8