Coaching will lead to greater accountability

I read with interest Gary Eastwood’s article “Naturally trained leaders” (MW January 19). I believe coaching represents the future cornerstone of management and leadership, in a world where people are giving up on traditional methods and searching for something new. It is a phenomenon that the business world has an opportunity to proactively embrace, but risks ignoring at its peril.

However, the term “coaching” needs to be made a lot clearer. The marketing industry is renowned for its vibrant environment, but while training is good, quite often it isn’t always “time-friendly”.

A coaching approach or culture which focuses on achieving results through encouraging people, at all levels, to find their own answers and take responsibility for their actions, will create an outstanding workforce.

For newly-promoted individuals, it is a tool in the promotion of learning and development. What is more, unlike other forms of training, coaching has tangible business benefits.

Coaching allows the manager to let go of the perceived need to have all the answers. By entering into the partnership with employees through coaching, the manager enables them to seek new and creative solutions. What coaching does in the workplace is push the responsibility and accountability where it needs to be.

To me, that is the fundamental difference between coaching and training. By being supportive, open and non-judgemental, it makes people much more accountable, and much more responsible.

Meera Vohora-Loyns

Midas Touch Consultancy

London SW19