Business Coaching is an individual, time-limited support to achieve an envisioned The business coach is the expert for the coaching process, the client the expert for his or her topics. The coach offers help for self-help by stimulating a change of perspective and strengthening resources. This makes it possible to break out of the mental carousel and discover new alternatives for action.
In contrast to personal or Life Coaching
Unlike a trainer or consultant, a business coach does not teach new skills or expertise, but supports the client in developing their own solution approach that suits them best. The basic attitude in systemic business coaching is that the client himself is the only expert on his topic.
The desired change can usually be assigned to one of the following three thematic areas:
Personality development
This thematic block includes all the changes of personality attributes that a person goes through in his or her life. Personality development is part of the maturing process of our character and happens throughout our life.
Competence enhancement
Competence is generally understood as the combination of knowledge and skills in coping with different requirements for action. Change processes in this context are about learning new skills or improving existing ones.
Mastering crises
A crisis can hit any company or person, usually completely unforeseen. Since these situations are outside our usual range of experience, we often feel overwhelmed at the beginning. An independent person can help to find ways out of this valley.
Der Zusatz “systemisches” Business Coaching betont, dass es sich zwar um ein berufliches Thema handelt, aber dennoch das Gesamtsystem des Coachees betrachtet wird – also nicht nur das berufliche The addition of “systemic” business coaching emphasizes that although the topic is professional, the coachee’s overall system is considered – i.e. not only the professional environment, but also the private one. Since the typical behaviors and beliefs of the coachee are usually deeply rooted in the personality and shaped by the private life, the change is much faster and more sustainable.
Audience
In general, people benefit from business coaching at any point in their professional career and regardless of their role in the company. However, this is most often used by or commissioned for middle and upper management. When it comes to board members and managing directors, it is also referred to as executive coaching.
Companies usually use the support of business coaches to accompany operational changes. This can range from taking on a new role, such as a promotion, to a company-wide transformation. The goal is to make the change as effective, successful and sustainable as possible.
In addition to companies, however, private clients also use business coaching. This is usually the case when people need support unattached from the company. Common reasons for this are current professional challenges and professional reorientation.
Typical Business Coaching Topics
In addition to the traditional business coaching topics (left), some new topics (right) have been added in the modern working world:
- Personal situation analysis
- Strengths analysis and direction finding
- Leadership tasks and competencies
- Dealing with and solving conflicts
- Accompanying decisions and changes
- Restructuring and transformations
- Modern leadership styles (Agile, Lean)
- Management of virtual, remote or international teams
- Reconciliation of work and family
- Burnout prevention
Although I welcome all topics, my focus in business coaching is on the topics of the modern working world of the IT industry. I coach leaders and executives during a digital transformation, on role identification during the introduction of agile methods, on culturally induced conflictes during mergers and outsourcing. Female executives and their environment in this mainly man’s world are especially close to my heart.
Effectiveness of Coaching
Various meta-studies now provide impressive evidence of the effectiveness of coaching, which has long been empirically known in many companies. In the studies, the greatest effects of business coaching have been demonstrated in:
- Goal achievement
- Power (Performance/Skills)
- Work attitudes (Work/Career attitudes)
- Well-being
- Development of strategies for coping (problem solving)
These include improved self-efficacy and mindfulness, reduction of stress, burnout and absenteeism, emotional relief, increased job satisfaction, change of perspective and increased ability to self-reflect.
A trusting working relationship between coach and client, which is characterized by appreciation and empathy, is considered one of the decisive impact factors for positive results. Another effective factor is a coaching process adapted to the coachee with precise clarification of goals and activation of resources.
What is important when choosing a coach?
Gutes Coaching setzt eine fundierte Ausbildung des Coaches voraus, denn es basiert auf erprobten
Good coaching requires a sound training of the coach, because it is based on proven methods and competencies for a targeted process handling for the coachee. The promotion of self-reflection and self-motivation of the coachee plays an important role. Furthermore, this includes a change of perspective and the elaboration of alternative courses of action for a suitable solution. By consciously leading into the emotions, the usually already existing thought patterns are broken.
The best business coaches are those who can help you to get to where you want to be and remain. They have a clear vision and are able to see problems and strengths and help the coachee identify them. A good coach has empathy and understanding of the client’s specific needs.
Eine weitere wichtige Eigenschaft ist das Interesse sich beständig
Another important quality is the interest to constantly develop themselves, as this enables them to help you more effectively. Therefore, they regularly educate themselves.
Therefore, make sure that your coach has a certified education, is a member of a coaching association and continues his or her education on a regular basis.
How much does coaching cost?
Fees for certified business coaches vary greatly depending on training, certification, methods, specialization, target group and area. Therefore, a purely price-based comparison is not very useful. The decisive factor is the service that a coach provides specifically for you, for your personal development.
The question is therefore rather, how much is it worth to you to find the right coach for you and your further development.
