01/10/2026
Have you seen this sculpture? It’s outside the hospital where two of my sons were born.
To me, it's a metaphor for coaching.
Two people, leaning in, reaching for the other. A sense of connection, perhaps some creative tension - support with push and pull in balance - and real trust.
To me, that’s like great coaching.
The research points the same way. Nearly 90% of people who've been coached say it worked, according to an international survey by researchers at James Cook University and the Institute for Employment Studies (Blackman, Carter and Hay). 296 people completed it, and they chose to take part, so I'd read it as a strong signal rather than proof.
Here's what made the difference:
• 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀. People cared far more about a coach having similar values to them than about being the same age or gender.
• 𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀. Listening came top of what people wanted, then empathy, then being challenged in a supportive way.
• 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. About 91% of people who volunteered for coaching found it effective, compared with 74% of those who were sent to be coached.
• 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻. About 85% said the effort they put in was worth it, and the biggest challenge was being preoccupied with other work, according to 61% of respondents. (And of course, a lot of coaching is about sustainably managing time, energy, focus and prioritisation - especially in leadership and team transitions - what do I say “yes” to, what do I say “no” or “not yet” to, and do I discuss and negotiate with grace, care, balance, assertiveness and integrity for the right relationships, process, impacts and learning)
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 really 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
DM me if you'd like me to share the full article.
