+49 (0)30 - 788 66 61 info@intercultures.de

Understanding the Value of Coaching

The practice of coaching is an old art made modern through a profession that continues to emerge and take shape worldwide. At intercultures, we believe that intercultural coaching is the most specific, sustainable and economical intervention to release the potential of executives involved in international processes. Apparently, we are not the only ones who believe in the value of coaching: In a 2014 International Coaching Federation study, 85% of survey respondents reported that they were satisfied with their coaching experiences. (A total of 3,277 respondents answered this survey question.)

Facts and Perspectives

This article provides facts and perspectives on the profession of coaching for the benefit of those who have or have not experienced coaching—whether as a coachee or coach. Quotes from intercultures coaches (all pictured below) were collected in July 2014 and feature Andra Morosi (based in France), Natalia Sarro (based in Argentina) and Sujata Banerjee (dually based in Germany and India). All share a passion for the profession and a unique view of the work of maximizing human potential.

Additional central features include sponteneity; transparency with regard to the process; a set time frame; clearly defined objectives and success measures; and self-reflection.

Setting Standards

As the three most widely recognized coaching associations, the Association for Coaching (AC), International Coaching Federation (ICF) and European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) have set professional coaching standards. Coaching is not currently regulated by any country or state.

“I am accountable during the entire coaching process for not only helping to generate and nurture ideas, but also for the well being and emotional state of mind of my Coachee. He or she is gifting me not only with an assignment, but also with a huge investment of trust that I need to respect at all times. My accountability is towards the individual, rather than towards the organization he or she represents.”  —Sujata Banerjee

An Interview with Sujata Banerjee

The following quotes were shared for this article by Sujata:

How do you define your role as a coach?

„I have to bring big ears along, rather than a big mouth! Contributing a fresh take on my coachee’s visions, ideas, aims and objectives is one of the key reasons why I am hired. We evolve together, step by step, rather than having a classroom situation, or my showcasing what I think is best…”.

How does coaching impact clients/ coachees in observable ways?

„Coachees tend to be less risk-averse and more confident…A Coach can identify needs; objectify; be a sounding board; emote; tweak an issue from an entirely new angle; ask 'why’ questions when you are in the middle of a 'when’ and 'how’ delivery stage; help turn mistakes into valuable takeaways—and all of this on an all-gain, no-risk basis.”

Might you share an anecdote related to your coaching work?  

„My first ever coaching experience was with an individual from Western Europe from a really aggressive sales background who was supposed to assume a new strategic function in his organization in South Asia…We were discussing various aspects of Leadership applicable in this novel cultural environment, and I mentioned the concept of humility. He thought that this was a really bizarre approach, and there was no way that he—in his new top-down role—would ever have the need to experience or display it. Unfortunately, for budgetary reasons, we couldn’t follow up once he was posted abroad. Years later, he told me at a conference that if he hadn’t proactively displayed an eagerness to learn, as well as gratitude and humility towards the person [whose role] he had come to succeed, this person would have never shared his valuable experiences or existing customer relationships with him, and he would have been totally ineffective within the organization. He is still out there!”

Overcoming Challenges

In situations where complex intercultural challenges are an issue, we recommend that our clients use a combination of training and coaching to develop potential.

“The power of, ‘I don’t know. What do you think?,’ as a provocative statement. It’s one of my favorite answers as a coach to a client who is expecting ‘ready-made’ solutions and holding the belief that the coach knows better / has the answer.  It always works!!!” —Andra Morosi

An Interview with Andra Morosi

The following quotes were shared for this article by Andra:

As a coach, what one coaching standard is „golden” for you?

„The client is creative, resourceful and whole. Never try to 'fix’ him/ her but help open new windows, break down some invisible walls, explore new landscapes, unleash his/ her full potential.”

How do you define your role as a coach?

„A sounding board, a trusted companion during a thought-provoking and creative journey that leads the client to reaching his/ her goal.”

How does coaching impact clients/ coachees in observable ways?

„New awareness; more inquiry in the areas of 'why’ and 'how’; occasionally some resistance; ownership of goals; challenge and accountability for making it happen!”

“Once the person understands that the way they define a problem is actually part of the problem, they are open to accept other views of reality they had never thought of. This leads the person to transform so-called problems into invaluable opportunities for growth and learning.” —Natalia Sarro

An Interview with Natalia Sarro

The following quotes were shared for this article by Natalia:

How do you define your role as a coach?

„My job as a Coach is to help people expand their worldview and increase their well-being, as they achieve their personal and professional goals.”

As a coach, what one coaching standard is „golden” for you?

„From my perspective, we Coaches need to work deeply on developing our own self-awareness…How can you inspire a client to take action and leave behind dysfunctional habits and behaviors if you don´t do the same for yourself first?”

the”Another essential skill that Coaches should develop is the ability to embrace our vulnerability. I always keep in mind the words of Carl Jung: 'Learn all theories. Handle all techniques. But when you touch another soul, be simply another human soul.'”

How does coaching impact clients/ coachees in observable ways?

„My deepest satisfaction comes from seeing their amazing  transformation in the process of achieving that goal. What unknown skills did they discover along the way? Who did they become in order to achieve those goals? How much stronger and resourceful is this person now? That is what makes me love my job so much. And in the end, that is the real impact of a Coaching process in the client’s life.”

2014 International Coaching Federation Global Consumer Awareness Study

The objective of the ICF Study is to illustrate the worldwide reach of coaching in terms of awareness of coaching, client/ coachee satisfaction and the importantance of credentials.

Select Study data presented here was collected from 18,810 respondents across 25 countries with major concentrations of ICF members. The survey was completed by an external and independent audit consultancy. Country-specific and global data tables for the Study are publicly available to non-ICF members.

Respondents’ View of Coaching

Definitions of coaching differ. In addition to the data above, 32% of respondents reported that they viewed coaching as, „offering guidance from one’s own experience in a specific area of career development” (mentoring); 13% viewed coaching as, „assessing an organization’s practices and recommending solutions for improvement based on expertise in a specific area” (consulting); 10% viewed coaching as, „Working toward achievement of specific learning objectives based on a set curriculum” (training); 7% viewed coaching as, „Healing pain, dysfunction or conflict in service of improved emotional or feeling states” (counseling); and, 3% of the 10,917 respondent count for this question held some other view. Words in parenthesis that label each definition (e.g., coaching, mentoring, etc.) were not included in the ICF survey.

Awareness of Coaching

Of a total of 18,810 respondents who answered the question about awareness of coaching, 42% reported no awareness of professional business and/or life coaching.

In fact, when respondents were asked if they had participated in a coaching relationship as a coachee or coach, 71% (of a total of 11,176 respondents) reported that they had not.

Reasons Some Respondents Wouldn’t Consider Coaching

A total of 40% of respondents (from a respondent count of 7,899) who had heard of coaching, but had not been in a coaching relationship said they would not consider participating in a professional business and/or life coaching relationship.

Some who reported this decision provided additional information on why they would not consider coaching. In addition to the most common explanation shown in the image immediately above, respondets also reported (in order of most common response) that they could not afford coaching; do not need coaching; and that they do not believe there is evidence that coaching works. A total of 3,196 respondents answered this question.

Click to inquire about intercultures coaching services, or click to read about coaching services on our site.

Czekamy na Twój kontakt!

The above article was included in the July 2014 intercultures e-newsletter.

Picture source title picture: Getty Images.

Picture source and credit „Portrait of Sujata Banerjee”: Sujata Banerjee.
Picture source and credit „Portrait of Andra Morosi”: Andra Morosi.
Picture source and credit „Portrait of Natalia Sarro”: Natalia Sarro.