When considering leadership development, a prevalent enquiry amongst managers and coaches pertains to the ideal length of coaching engagements that guarantees substantial and persistent transformation. Leadership coaching should be recognised akin to any significant enterprise or investment within an organisation, demanding not only commitment but considerable resources and extensive involvement. Drawing upon our profound experience of coaching upwards of 100,000 leaders who actively included their colleagues, Global Coach Group UK has gathered essential insights into how the duration of coaching aligns with the sought-after outcomes.
Evaluating the Impact at Various Stages of Coaching:
1. KNOW IT (3 Months)
Starting with a three-month period of coaching lays the foundational groundwork. This stage is aimed at enhancing leaders’ self-awareness, refining their focus on essential areas for improvement, and devising a robust initial action plan. Although around 75% of leaders express satisfaction at this early stage, collegial satisfaction with the leader’s improvements is relatively low at 18% even after a year. This disparity suggests that, while short-term engagements might initiate awareness, they often do not suffice for deep or enduring change.
2. SHOW IT (6 Months)
By extending coaching to six months, the emphasis transitions to the actual execution of the initial action plan and the refinement of specific leadership skills. This phase is critical for leaders to demonstrate noticeable changes in behaviour and efficacy — shifting from theoretical strategy to practical application. Integrating feedback from colleagues is crucial here, which assists leaders in fine-tuning their approach further. By the end of this period, approximately 63% of colleagues recognise a marked improvement in leadership effectiveness.
3. GROW IT (9 Months)
Advancing to a nine-month coaching stint permits leaders to profoundly instil new behaviours and convert them into consistent habits. During this phase, leaders not only refine their skills further but also actively engage their colleagues, fostering a collaborative and accountable working environment. The data reveals that 76% of colleagues see improved leadership effectiveness, with 41% reporting high satisfaction with the consistent advancements. This stage reassures the team that the changes are substantial and stem from a genuine commitment to new leadership methodologies.
4. OWN IT (12 Months)
Concluding the coaching engagement at a year ensures that the focus goes beyond just maintaining progress but weaving the new leadership behaviours into the team’s cultural fabric. A significant 95% of colleagues affirm the leader’s improvements, with 71% highly satisfied, indicating that a year-long engagement embeds these changes sufficiently deep to withstand leadership transitions and continue benefiting the team and organisation as a whole.
In Summary
This strategic progression from initial awareness to cultural integration emphasises that longer coaching engagements, though more demanding, yield significantly greater returns in both sustainable change and overall satisfaction. They not only enhance individual leadership performance but also improve team dynamics and encourage a persistent cultural shift within the organisation.
In conclusion, effective leadership coaching transcends mere short-term achievement to foster a transformation resonating at all organisational levels. Leaders intent on genuinely enhancing their impact should view these engagements as vital, strategic investments rather than optional expenditures. This journey from awareness to sustained transformation is about leading with not just competency but consistency, transforming potential into lasting progress that withstands the tests of time.
At Global Coach Group UK (GCG UK), we specialise in coaching managers to develop these crucial leadership skills and create a stronger organisation. For more information on how GCG UK can assist your leaders visit our Leadership Coaching page. Connect with our network of over 4,000 exceptional coaches to begin your leaders’ journey towards confident and effective leadership today.