The point of this discussion centres around the question of whether Australian business coaching professionals have a high trusting relationship with their clients, and what are the factors that build trust between business coaches and clients.
The concept of trust is gaining ground as one of the key and influential factors in determining success in the business coaching industry. It certainly needs to be earned, and is not an automatic or assumed quality by the mere designation of a business coach.
Unlike other industries the business coaching industry needs to raise it’s trust profile. In some industries trust is implied. Just think of how many times you have been in an aeroplane and questioned the credentials of the pilot, or if you check the qualifications when going to a new doctor?
Australian business coaches have a long way to go until they becomes an essential component on the list of corporate expenditure (or should I say corporate investment?)
The main reason is the Business Coaching Industry cannot yet be fully trusted. It is still finding its status and relevance among leaders. Furthermore there are business coaches that have proven to over promise and under deliver, or plainly have not been all that they made out to be.
So what is required to enhance trust in the Australian business coaching industry?
The fact remains that without a thorough understanding of the pillars of trust by the business coaching professional, it will be a tough road. These pillars are the key elements that cement and strengthen the relationship between the business coach and client.
I attended an accreditation program on trust, where these 3 trust aspects were identified and explained. Expectations, Needs and Promises, are the fundamental trust ingredients that will most certainly enhance any business coach.
What are expectations of the business coach’s client?
What does he/she expect from the business coach?
- the interaction, the outcomes, the timing, the feedback, the openness?
What if these are not met?
What are the needs of the client?
How do they need to be coached?
What are their emotional, economic, political, intellectual needs?
What if these are not met?
What are the promises made both explicit and implicit by the business coach?
- promising certain results
- providing the required expertise and knowledge
- being on time
- having the right intention
- confidentiality
What if these are not met?
Australian business coaching has come a long way to be recognised and appreciated. What would a big dose of the T word do to make it even more credible and essential?