Is Remote Coaching Worth The Investment?
In the current turbulent climate, when companies are dealing with unparalleled levels of uncertainty and transformational change, leaders need the support and challenge of executive coaching more than ever.
But when coachees and coaches are struggling to get together face to face, the question that HR leaders and coaching sponsors are wrestling with is – Is remote coaching a credible alternative or is it a pale imitation of the real thing?
Since the pandemic started in UK in March, 95% of our coaching assignments have seamlessly transitioned online (usually via Zoom or MS teams). Nearly all our clients, sponsors and coachees report similar levels of effectiveness and satisfaction as to when we delivered coaching face to face.
In fact, even now, when, we could transition back to face to face coaching, many coachees are preferring the online alternative or a hybrid mix of some face to face sessions (often a walking or seated session in the open air) and the online version – a trend we expect to continue.
Before the pandemic, some of our coachees reported a preference for online, or, in some cases, telephone coaching as they felt it was a more comfortable channel to unleash an unfettered stream of consciousness to order their thoughts.
There is no doubt that there is still one area of coaching that has yet to adapt to the new world order. We have had our greatest success simply moving existing coaching relationships online when there has been an established relationship with the coachees and the coach (done face to face).
When there is no existing relationship, e.g. at the start of a new coaching assignment, clients seem to be more reticent to commission a new piece of work. This seems a great shame, as it means that leaders are missing out on support at a time when they need it most.
We have found that by taking more time, care and depth both with chemistry meetings and in the initial coaching session, the coach and coachee can build up the necessary rapport to have just as effective coaching sessions as they would have experienced, had they initially met face to face. In addition, by moving the first two coaching sessions closer together, this rapport can be quickly consolidated and built on.
New ways of providing coaching
Our clients have been asking for more flexible coaching provisions to support their leaders. We also recognise the urgent need for coaching which will help leaders to navigate the challenging environment and think through and rehearse some of the difficult decisions and conversations they are going to have to have.
In response to these challenges, we have created a new Executive Coaching service:
Remote Coaching Clinics. Now instead of having to invest in a series of executive coaching sessions for one of your leaders, you can invest in a day of 1 hour executive coaching sessions that any of your leaders can book for some instant support/challenge, empathy or a sounding /venting board.
It is a limited substitute for a full programme of coaching, but when resources are scarce, it allows organisations to offer coaching to a wider audience and means that better, more considered decisions and conversations are being made/had across the leadership population.
From what we have experienced so far, remote coaching can definitely be as effective as face to face coaching. In fact, when the pandemic ends, just as we will see a greater hybrid mix of people working in the office and home, we are likely to see a similar hybrid approach to face to face and remote coaching. It is here to stay!
Click here to find out more about our Remote Coaching or contact us.