Coach to the Rescue! Working with all the Generations.

I was an internal coach at HSBC for three years when I led the Graduate Programs. It was challenging, but I loved it. Hands down my favorite job. It was my first step into coaching and I have rode the wave all these years as an influencer and external coach.

More and more organizations are seeking internal coaches to create and cultivate a consistent, coaching culture within; and they are smart to do so. Promoting and living the company's culture and values will not only save turnover, money, and employee upsets - it will attract the right employees. Those who want to engage and commit to a company with a cause. And one that will actively move them up the ranks into more leadership, if they give their all. This exciting upcoming generation craves mentors, coaches, and leaders that will nurture them all the way to the top. What is predicted is that in an atmosphere with built in coaches on site will create loyalty, trust, and affinity for all.

This is the era of the carrot, not the stick.

Things have changed in 2019. No longer will Millennials respond to the old model of management and leadership - as their time has come.

They will surpass (in numbers) the Baby Boomers this year. Gen Xers (like me) will be the “middle child” of generations – caught between these two, larger powerful cohorts. I see possibilities in my coaching work to be a bridge for these two competing factions (yes, I said factions). This year, Gen Y is going to throw down the gauntlet! And as Gen Xs would say, "Be there or be square".

As Timbuk3 would say,"The Future's So Bright, We Gotta Wear Shades". Many researchers are predicting high growth in built-in coaching for corporations.

“The most likely coaching trend to continue over the next 5 years?

86% of Executive Coaching for Results respondents agree: leadership development programs paired with additional coaching.” - FlashPoint

FlashPoint has follow this trend for years: https://www.flashpointleadership.com/blog/the-future-of-coaching-what-do-the-experts-say

Why Internal Coaching Works for All:

Creates a coaching culture integrated into the business - by the business, for the business. More inquiry, sharing, questions - and less judgment, anger, stalemates, and silence. Problems will be caught and address early, listened to, and created with agreed solutions. No more leaving a problem to fester or letting upsets and feuds simmering for years. Cooperating vs competing. Not making things so hard to do your job. All young people starting out (even you) very willing and giving their all and they will continue if you foster their bright light - instead of snuffing it out.
Saves money vs constant turnover. Focus on individuals not just groups to increase retention, there is no one size for all. See to coach development all levels of talent to their potentials. Everyone has the ability to grow and elevate their work with the help of a coach or a very good manager. This practice will reduce the cost of new hiring and save the loss of 'brain drain' when employees leave (which is now estimated at 30-50% of on top of the cost of hiring).
Creates relationships of trust and understanding (a two part conversation, not my way or the highway). Letting people fail... and helping them get back up. It gives people the chance to deal with it responsibly and confidently. Managers and employees are a team together and have responsibility to each other, not adversaries. Seek proactive actions vs reactive reactions to mitigate employee relation issues early. Help you help your manager, when it comes to your growth.
Allows a lot of space for inner growth. Work is no longer 'the grind', or you are just a number, and called "human capital". Now it is a place to grow, learn, make contacts, friends, discovery, be themselves, use their innate talent, have experiences, and adventures. I like to call it 'human ability' (vs capital) across all parts of life and work. Focus on the results, create a strategy, and know the plan is flexible step by step. We are living people. Don't force outcomes, status, and leaning on "we have always done it in the past".
Everyone feels, and is treated as a leader. You will get more out of people - when you give them resources and guidance, talk to them straight, and give them responsibility - it will make them be happy. As at the same time, the hard work they are doing is right going back into them as a self reward and confidence (not pride). If you are uncomfortable in this culture, I imagine you opt out. Some people just like to be in the old model of corporations; its easier for them and everyone knows "their place".

Coaches: If your are a coach or a leader in an organization and you want to pitch this idea, here are things to mention. If you have ideas and comments about this article, write in your own prediction and thoughts in the comments.

External Drivers: Competitive hiring marketplace, Boomers retiring, Millennials getting their MBA (including way more women!), shortage of skilled labor, global mobility/emerging markets, world getting smaller, creating trust, privacy, and confidentiality.

Internal Rationale: Losing 'brain drain' after all of that investment (hiring + training + knowledge), retirements of older and trained works falling off, the marketplace, incoming Gen Z, succession planning, leader pipelines, business continuance, innovation, planning, the competition for talent, and what type of access to coaches will there be?, how does fit into corporations.

Internal coaching is on the rise because they are becoming a part of the culture. Coaching and living out the values, goals, and tackling challenges side by side with trust and teamwork.

For Corporate Leadership: Instead of about fixing performance issues, now you have a proactive tool and source to get ahead of business and employee problems, that will save you money, time, and lots of aggravation. You will get everyone on the same bus, and the ones that are not into it, will leave quickly. Your internal coach is your partner and your friend.

For Coaches: If you are looking to become a internal coach, target companies that share your values and are open to coaching. Connect with someone who will be an inside champion for you in a position with authority who can bring you in the organization with respect. In addition, the firms values must see the merits in your coaching so they are open to fund and support you.

Contribute your thoughts below!

And for all us Gen X's Life Is A Highway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo

Life's like a road that you travel on

When there's one day here and the next day gone

Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand

Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There's a world outside every darkened door

Where blues won't haunt you anymore

Where the brave are free and lovers soar

Come ride with me to the distant shore

We won't hesitate, break down the garden gate

There's not much time left today

Life is a highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

Through all these cities and all these towns

It's in my blood and it's all around

I love you know like I loved you then

This is the road and these are the hands

From Mozambique to those Memphis nights

The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights

Knock me down get back up again

You're in my blood I'm not a lonely man

There's no load I can't hold

Road so rough, this I know

I'll be there when the light comes in

Tell 'em we're survivors

Life is a highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

Life is a highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

There was a distance between you and I

A misunderstanding once but now

We look it in the eye

There's no load I can't hold

Road so rough this I know

I'll be there when the light comes in

Tell 'em we're survivors

Life is a highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

Life is a highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

Life is a highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

By the great, Thomas William Cochrane

millennials coach work human resources internal coach leadership coach

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