Leadership coaching VS leadership training

They have good reason for changing their approach says Corporate Coach Academy, which offers a Q&A below, dealing with some of the issues surrounding personal coaching:
Why were most organisations previously choosing training over coaching?
They were not aware of the existence of coaching schools and how effective such an approach could be. Despite this, many organisations were not satisfied with the training approach and the amount of money they had to invest in them.
In addition, there was little improvement in skills among those who had completed the training programmes. Worse still, many of those taking part in training programmes would resign from their positions not long after. It made this approach a real drain on the resources of many organisations – in terms of time and money.
How did leadership coaching come into the picture?
In recent years, there has been much talk about coaching. It is constantly in the news. Many organisations have been following developments and studying the approach. After trying coaching, feedback from participants has been much more positive and more importantly, significant changes were seen in the leadership approach of participants.
What are the marked changes you are seeing now?
First and foremost, participants are usually more engaging with their down-lines and delegate greater responsibility those parties with which they are involved. They are also listening more to the ideas of others instead of merely passing on orders. Participants using the coaching approach are often more down-to-earth and ready to try new ideas that may lead to a better performance of the organisation.
What are the advantages of the leadership coaching approach?
It is based more on practical methods rather than lots of theoretical reading. Leadership programmes are study-orientated with lots of textbooks and theory. It is really difficult for people to absorb theory after theory, and then be expected to apply this back in the workplace. With coaching, materials focus on practical application and this is what appeals to many people in positions of leadership.
As working adults, leaders do not want to waste time – they want to get straight down to applying their knowledge as fast as possible and coaching simply meets these needs. Add to this, the use of coaching to deliver coaching – meaning that those who participate in the coaching programme can then use the same applications to coach others – leading to an easier and faster way of passing on knowledge to others.
Is the coaching becoming more popular?
Once tried, most organisations stick with the coaching approach, with many involving more managers and those that report directly to them. In the long term, coaching could also be a benefit to staff in other areas of business too. Those who have attended earlier programmes should also be sent for refresher classes to instil in them the coaching mindset.
Is the Corporate Coach Academy confident in the coaching approach?
Absolutely. A coach is everything – a powerful leader and a good friend.

The Corporate Coach Academy is a coaching school that coaches leaders from all backgrounds in becoming manager-coaches or professional certified coaches in this region. Their website is at www.corporate-coachacademy.com or [email protected].