Measurement of Coaching

Coaching can be incredibly useful, yet difficult to measure directly.

If you achieve something amazing after a coaching session, how can you say for sure if it is because of the coaching session?

How can you determine the true value of coaching?

When you go to a doctor, how can you be sure the medicine cured your illness? The illness might have cured itself....

When you ask a friend for advice, how do you know the advice made a difference? The problem might have solved itself....

Clearly, it's difficult to measure the impact of coaching as you can never have the same experience twice.

One of the reasons why measurement of the impact of coaching is that a good coach acts as a catalyst, unlocking your own potential. If it seems that what you needed was inside you all along then it probably was.

A good coach holds they key to your limitless capability.

One way to directly measure the impact of coaching is to tie the value of coaching to results. Part of the coaching relationship involves setting key development and performance goals which can be clearly and easily measured.

Many of these goals will relate to long standing obstacles or barriers so that we can ensure the coaching relationship is having a positive impact.

The first coaching session is an opportunity to test the coach. At the end of the session you should both be able to identify tangible goals and targets based on the conversation you have had. The first session is an opportunity for both the coach and client to ensure they are comfortable with the relationship.

In a team environment, the coach fulfills much the same role as the coach of a football team. The team manager sets direction, chooses the team and measures success.

The coach is the bridge between the manager's expectation and the team's capability.

The manager is able to say where the team needs to be. The coach is able to develop the potential of the individuals in the team, helping them to get there. The coach is able to understand the strengths of each team member, helping them to teach and coach each other to success. In this scenario, the impact of coaching is directly measured in the team members' progress towards success.