Why Some People Need Coaches To Make A Change In Their Business

By Sara Plett, LLCo Force Multiplier

When a person’s inner circle falls short in providing the accountability needed to achieve goals, a coach can be the driving force they need to move forward. A Gallup survey highlights that just 40% of employees feel their managers hold them accountable. Coaches step in to bridge this gap, making accountability a driving force behind goal attainment. 

Why do people hire a coach?

In today’s evolving work environment characterized by massive technological advancements and globalization, entrepreneurs’ and workers’ mindsets are shifting. They are no longer looking for a “boss”, but a coach.

For entrepreneurs, a coach can help them to achieve specific milestones and reach business goals. A research study on the efficacy of business coaching revealed that entrepreneurs primarily aimed to leverage the experience and expertise of business coaches, enhance their leadership and business acumen, exchange viewpoints and ideas, and acquire fresh perspectives.

 For an employee, a coach provides accountability, meaningful purpose, continuous feedback, and comradery. Employees may seek the guidance of a coach when they feel that the people in their life, including family, friends, supervisors, or their community, aren’t providing them with the necessary accountability to achieve their goals. Remarkably, a Gallup survey revealed that only 40 percent of employees strongly agree that their manager holds them accountable for their performance goals. Employees who feel accountable to their manager are 2.5 times more likely to be engaged.

Important factors when selecting a coach – trust and accountability

Clients select coaches based on their credentials, professionalism, and communication skills. They look for someone who can provide them with a variety of tools and techniques, models, and scripts. People also want to work with coaches who have prior experience in comparable roles, but surprisingly, a coach’s credentials are not the determining factor during selection.

Arguably, the most important component of the coach and client relationship is establishing trust and building rapport. For coaching to be effective, the client must have a trusting connection with the coach to achieve desired outcomes. A study on eHealth interventions and adherence showed that the emotional bond between a test subject and the administrator likely amplifies the impact of accountability and therefore goal attainment. Other research studies have found that establishing trusting relationships with business coaches is regarded as of utmost importance especially in comparison to other factors.

As shown in the above studies, trust and rapport go hand-in-hand with accountability – a gap that coaches can fill in the lives of their clients. 

What is accountability and why is it important in coaching? 

Accountability encompasses the implied or explicit anticipation that an individual may be required to provide explanations for their actions or lack thereof. True accountability necessitates the involvement of a “social presence” – which is defined as the presence of another human being. This presence can take various forms, including in-person, telephone, or email interactions. In one study, researchers tested the difference between automation and human interaction for accountability. While automated systems like email reminders can indeed boost the likelihood of goal accomplishment, the presence of a human supporter significantly increases program adherence. 

Another study expanded upon this conclusion, with findings showing that passive support strategies like an open-door policy or encouraging patient-initiated contact had limited success, with few patients taking advantage of these options. In contrast, a more proactive approach, such as incorporating accountability through scheduled follow-up sessions encouraged participants to achieve their goals. 

In new research, which studied weight loss, researchers found that the participants that opted for an “accountability buddy” experienced greater weight loss and reduction in waist size compared to those who participated in the program without buddy support. Participants emphasized the importance of accountability because despite valuing exercise, many struggled to turn good intentions into consistent habits. 

At LLCo, it’s a common scenario to witness new clients who hold values like wellness, lead generation, quality time with family, and work-life balance, yet find it challenging to translate these values into steadfast habits. However, when they embrace accountability in their relationship with their coach, we’ve observed significant transformations in their lives.

Moreover, others have found that high performance in work settings depend heavily on accountability as well. But the manner in which accountability is put into practice is important. Clients’ and employees’ learning experiences rise notably when the aim of accountability is dignity rather than surveillance. When employees sense that their supervisors genuinely care about their success, they become more honest and less likely to conceal any shortcomings.

Coaching As A Solution:

It’s clear that accountability is a key component of achieving your goals. True accountability requires the social presence of another human and is aided in pre-planned meetings. These studies showed that many people lack accountability in their life – whether that be their work or personal relationships. Effective coaching is a powerful solution, offering the much-needed support and accountability to create the life you desire. 

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Interested in coaching with LLCo? Click the link below to say hi!

Sara Plett