One-on-one executive coaching increases productivity in a large organisation by as much as 66%, says Talent Ocean, the online talent management division of workforce management solutions provider the Kelly Group.

Executive coaching results in improved performance and personal growth for the individual executive and a significant increase in productivity in an organisation, says online marketing manager Jennifer Mathews.

Executive coaching is a highly personal form of leadership development, where an individual identifies her strengths and weaknesses; examines the impact of her behaviour on others; and regularly and intentionally reflects on her efficacy, values and goals. Participants explore new perspectives and create an action plan to solve problems in the business, as well as to make progress in growth areas.

Essentially, executive coaching is in line with career guru Stephen Covey’s maxim that private victories precede public ones and that authentic change begins with the individual. He defines this as the inside-out approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness.

This approach is useful in times of crisis. Coaching assists individuals to reach their full potential by guiding them to think and act beyond their personal limits, fears and preconceptions, for the benefit of the organisation, says Mathews.

An individual and his/her coach will therefore agree on a number of performance goals and work together to achieve them. Importantly, the executive has an independent sounding board and strategic partner, in the form of a coach, in a safe and confidential environment.

Coaching should not only be limited to executives, but provided for new staff members as well, he says. Research shows that one in eight workers resigns before getting to grips with a new role. The average worker needs about five months to become competent in a new job. Coaching provides support and assists in empowering individuals to meet their personal key performance indicators.

She says that the idea of coaching and facilitating staff development is embodied in the Kelly Group’s philosophy of unlocking the potential of people in the world of work and promoting skills development.  

To find out more information about Talent Ocean  visit us at http://www.talentocean.co.za.