Most athletes are young, open to improvement, eager to learn and anxious to receive what a coach can provide. For athlete, there is a defined season and something tangible to compete for. Feedback is automatic, immediate, and specific; and athletes can easily change coaches and/or teams. Employees, on other hand, aren’t as emotionally committed. When have you seen an adult cry or rant and rage when a goal was not achieved? For employees, feedback and performance are hard to quantify. Work goes on; there is no end and often only vague scorecards. Lastly, employees do not demand corporate coaching or search critically for performance improvement. Without belaboring point or making value judgments, suffice it to say that two have different values and motivations. However, these differences do not change what constitutes effective coaching behaviors.

The application of CMOE’s Eight Step Coaching model may differ, but concepts will not. All coaches for example, need to create a supportive, trusting relationship (Step One). Further, all coaches need to create internal motivation or initiate a desire to pursue a more effective course of action (Step Two).

We’ve all been through training events—workshops, seminars, and courses that didn’t affect our behavior as much as we would have preferred. And while each provides valuable information and tools for increased productivity, most of us also understand what happens after workshop is over. We return to our work, our offices, our lives—and principles we learned are swept aside by a tidal wave of meetings, projects, and commitments. If we’re motivated, we find a moment to reflect on and consolidate a couple of relevant points, but industry studies show that most new learning is lost within a few days of event—as much as 90% in some cases. So what’s solution?

Think for a moment how you learned most of truly valuable skills you possess. The fact is most effective learning comes from our relationships and interactions with others. Parents, coaches, mentors—all have had their impact on our lives. They guide us as we take steps in a new direction, and help us overcome natural obstacles that arise.

True and lasting change takes time—time to practice, to think, to commit. The accountability we experience when others are involved in our personal change process is a powerful ingredient to keep us on track. A coach can provide guidance, accountability, “mirror” for our ideas that will challenge us, help us grow, and keep us moving forward.