Where Have All The Coaches Gone?

Coaching – or mentoring – is a powerful and successful leadership development tool. So why have so many organizations let it slide? The reason may have to do with where and how people work.

According to DDI’s 2023 Global Leadership Forecast, “only 23% of leaders say they want more coaching from their managers.” In fact, they rate coaching from their manager as one of their “least desired forms of learning.”

Now, this likely isn’t because employees don’t want to be mentored – they just want someone who’s good at it. 💁‍♀️

This same study found that when leaders provide effective coaching, not only do employees want more of it, they also report positive feelings about their organization’s development approach and culture! ✨

The importance of coaching and mentoring

With the change in how people work post-pandemic, it’s more important than ever for organizations to create a strong leadership development program that works in a virtual or hybrid environment.

In a 2022 article by Gartner.com, only “24% of hybrid and remote workers report feeling connected to their organization’s culture.” Leaders in which companies have won in the work/life balance may in fact be losing in the leadership development arena. The reason? They simply don’t know how to incorporate coaching and mentoring into a remote or virtual environment.

In the past, leaders could use physical reminders and spaces to encourage development. Future leaders were surrounded by company culture: they observed their mentors employing leadership principles in person – using both verbal and non-verbal cues. Leadership principles and organizational values were posted on walls, in offices, and in community spaces.

Now, remote employees are isolated in their own physical space — with limited opportunities to observe leadership in action…unless you count the family cat who prances territorially across your keyboard during that important Zoom meeting. 🐈

Given this new virtual or hybrid environment, how do you create an organizational culture that connects people and encourages employees to grow into leadership roles? Here are some ways to get started.

How to create a coaching mindset in your organization

Create a leadership culture

Leaders and coaches lead and coach the way their leaders coached them. Nothing wrong with this style, of course – but it was probably done in-person, which likely doesn’t transfer to a remote or hybrid environment.

To meet the needs of today’s future leaders, organizations need to adapt their programs and practices to transfer to virtual environments. 💬

Be intentional

Identify ways to connect through emotional – not just physical – proximity. In-person interactions become less frequent or even non-existent in hybrid and remote environments. So it’s important that employees feel connected to the organizational culture and potential leadership opportunities. Emotional proximity means encouraging moments where employees feel valued and recognized – in whichever ways they prefer, whether that be a note or a kind word. This encourages individuals to invest in their future potential at the organization.

Provide objective assessments

Leaders need to know when their coaching and mentoring efforts are successful. Providing an objective 360-degree assessment and ongoing feedback to mentors – not just mentees – is key in creating a successful leadership development program.

Leverage the experts

If you don’t have organizational experts who have experience in a remote or hybrid environment, find some that do.

Don’t know where to begin? Check out CK Digital Learning Solution’s self-paced courses to get you started in leveling up your leadership.

People will invest in their future career at an organization where they feel valued and encouraged to grow. This feeling of connection benefits not only them as individuals, but the organization overall – as increased productivity equals a great return on investment.

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The future of learning is here! There’s no better time to invest in a strong leadership development program. Build up your cadre of mentors and coaches, empower your employees, and watch your organization soar to new heights!