Professional coaches gaining foothold among workers, study finds

MORE FILIPINOS are using professional coaching services to improve their working performance and personal effectiveness, a consulting firm and a research firm said, citing the results of a joint study.
Benchmark Consulting in partnership with Kantar, found that more Filipinos are turning to professional coaches for both personal and personal development.
“(T)he study illustrates the power of using coaching in maximizing human potential. This inspires us to intensify our efforts in promulgating the professional and ethical practice of coaching to help more Filipinos be the best they can be,” said Benchmark president and International Coach Federation (ICF Philippines) founder Julius C. Ordonez in a statement on Wednesday.
A total of 300 participants who have received professional coaching in the past three years took part in the study. The participants are divided by three per category: external corporate coaching, internal corporate coaching and life coaching.
For the 100 participants who received external corporate coaching, their main goals are to “enhance team interactions, sharpen strategic thinking, and improve interpersonal and professional communication.”
“Respondents confirmed that almost all of their expectations were met and the experience improved their work performance as well as skills in strategic planning and leadership,” Benchmark said.
Enhanced team interactions were also another objective for the other 100 participants who had an internal corporate coach. Other aims of internal corporate coaching as reported by the same individuals are better worker engagement and motivation.
Benchmark also reported, “Top coaching benefits cited were enhanced leadership skills, increased ability to manage change, improved team effectiveness and work performance.”
For the 100 respondents who took life coaching, Benchmark reported that they “are aiming for self-development, achieving work-life balance, better decision-making, and clearer life purpose.” The study also added that those who took life coaching were mostly millenials around 24 to 34 years old. — Gillian M. Cortez