Leadership/management coaching is becoming standard fare in employee professional development programs, according Lee Hecht Harrison, an international outplacement and career services firm. In a recent study of 488 HR professionals, the firm found that nine out of ten companies now offer coaching to executives.
Once a euphemism for handling problem employees, the term "coaching" has taken a positive spin, says Gil Yancey, SVP and general manager for Lee Hecht Harrison. "As workforce management practices have become more sophisticated, coaching has been geared more toward developing employees that the company wants to retain." Some significant findings:
One quarter of responding organizations said they provide coaching primarily to high-potential, fast-track employees.
Respondents indicated that coaching is provided for leadership development (70%), skill or style development (64%) and to retain top talent (40%).
79% of respondents think organizations will increasingly incorporate coaching strategies into succession planning.
Contact Lee Hecht Harrison (202/637-0011; www.lhh.com)