Coaching at work: what is it and what are its benefits?

We review the different applications of coaching in the context of work and organizations.

In recent years, coaching has been in vogue, because professionals in this discipline help many individuals to empower themselves in the face of change, improve their interpersonal relationships, get to know themselves better and achieve the goals and objectives they so desire. This methodology is applied in different contexts: in the personal field, in sports, at school and in companies.

In the latter case, more and more organizations are becoming aware of the benefits of having a coach to help them achieve their goals and objectives. the benefits of having the help of a coach to improve the well-being and performance of their employees.This, in turn, has an impact on the company's performance.

What is coaching at work?

Coaching at work is coaching applied in organizations. And although the job coach, sometimes, may be associated with the false belief that it is a simple speaker or motivator, this method goes far beyond: it really gets to make people, thanks to a systematized work, empowered against change and correct those habits or limiting thoughts that separate them from from achieving their goals..

The purpose of this discipline is to maximize the professional and personal development of people. It is an educational process that allows learning and encourages cognitive, emotional and behavioral transformation by creating an ideal context for this to occur.

The coaching process allows a relationship between the coach and his client that encourages self-observation, self-reflection and empowerment.This way, it generates the transformation of people and companies, and causes changes in perspective while increasing motivation and responsibility. Not just anyone can be a good coach, and it is important to be well trained to be able to put it into practice correctly.

Where to train in coaching?

Coaching is so useful that in the last two decades many training centers have emerged that allow those interested in becoming professionals in this discipline to do so with the maximum guarantees of quality.

However, it is true that not all educational institutions have these guarantees. Therefore, in order to receive the best training in order to receive the best training we must look at some characteristics of the centers. For example, what is the content of the program, the testimony of former students, if the degree is recognized and accredited or not, or if the institution that provides it is prestigious.

An example of coaching training

In this sense, it is a good idea to take a training course at a prestigious center, such as a university. One of the most important training courses in Spain is the "Postgraduate in Coaching in the Work Environment" offered by the Institute of Continuing Education-IL3 of the University of Barcelona.

This degree is aimed at those individuals who wish to acquire theoretical and practical training in order to improve their own skills and competences at work and those of others..

It focuses on three main areas: improving organizational self-awareness, helping work teams to achieve their objectives and solve their problems more effectively, and enhancing the work of managers in personnel management and their own work performance, by fostering the development of their managerial, emotional and personal competencies, and by applying new leadership models through coaching.

In addition to imparting valuable knowledge, this training action offers an individual coaching process, so that the participants can develop the emotional competencies necessary for the professional practice as a coach..

The course has an extension of 30 ECTS credits, lasts one year and starts on October 19, 2018. For more information, you can click on this link.

Benefits of coaching at work

Coaching brings many benefits for both employees and companies. What are these benefits? Let's take a look at them below.

1. Improves teamwork

Group cohesion is necessary for workers to feel at ease in their jobs, be motivated and perform better. This can be achieved thanks to the coaching methodology and, in particular, to team coaching, and is key to achieving healthier and more productive relationships..

2. Allows the definition of realistic objectives

Coaching helps workers and organizations to be realistic in their goals, to be aware of whether they are achievable or not and, if necessary, to restructure their beliefs and behavior to achieve the goals..

3. Enhances individual skills

Coaching not only helps organizations not only helps organizationsThe company's employees also enhance their personal skills and improve their performance and occupational health.

4. Improved well-being

The occupational health of workers should always be a priority for companies. Happy workers perform better and better.

5. Increases creativity

Thanks to coaching, employees and managers are much more creative in solving problems, as this methodology encourages self-discovery and allows them to work in a "state of flow". allows to work in a "flow state"..

6. Reduces conflicts

This practice provides tools that help coachees to overcome obstacles and resolve conflicts that can affect the work environment.

7. Promotes adaptability to change

Resistance to change is a major problem in companies, as the environment is changing and employees sometimes have to learn to work differently than before.

This is especially critical if the upper strata are the ones who are not flexible to change, as their decisions they make affect the environment.The decisions they make affect their subordinates. Thanks to coaching, managers improve their adaptive skills and those of their team.

8. Increases motivation

When employees feel aligned with their work and feel at ease in the company they work for, their motivation increases. Motivation is one of the most important personal variables and one of the essential competencies to perform optimally in the workplace.

9. Increased productivity

When employees and managers are better at resolving conflicts, are more motivated and happier, more creative and more adaptable to change, the company notices. After all, the company's results are a consequence of the work of its employees.