Performance Coaching Within the Telecommunications Industry

Abstract

IntroductionCoaching is a recognizable term within business and is a common term that serves to bridge an organization's effectiveness and promote enhancement of individual development. Organizational leaders around world promote coaching. Such organizations include International Coaching Council, International Coaching Federation, Certified Coaches Federation, and European Coaching Institute. The popularity of coaching is a testament to more than 10,000 members in these organizations, and coaching is an important strategy in developing corporate leadership and change (Bennett & Bush, 2009).Coaching principles align with practices of Socrates and date back to 400 BCE (Before Common Era), when questioning and gaining a response or answers provided learners with foundation necessary to promote learning (Baldoni, 2010). The practices of coaching can bring learners from one level of proficiency to another by sharing knowledge and guidance to promote success. One can correlate such practices to critical thinking, knowledge management, knowledge value, and knowledge innovation.The art of coaching, while focusing on organizational and employee improvement, can also align with principles from a psychological perspective. With increasing uncertainty and competition in telecommunications industry, importance of developing core competencies and increasing organizational competitive advantage will set one organization apart from rest. Coaching can be business based, as coach provides industry experience and develops employees. A psychological approach to coaching can improve mental capacities, including improvements to employee morale and motivation (Turk, 2011).Literature ReviewParsloe and Rolph (2004) noted that an increase in coaching would support promotion of learning organizations. Business today is in era of information attainment and globalization. The result is continuous learning and changing conditions with increased uncertainty and competition, which demands high performance. According to Yuksel (2011), effective creation, organization and leverage of knowledge within business are becoming a main source of competitive advantage in a changing, information-driven economy. Coaching includes a variety of meanings, and integrating components differently in a variety of capacities diversifies concept.The unique component of coaching from a business perspective aligns with emergence of learning and people development as a high priority (Locke, 2008). The components of business coaching in relation to interfacing with employees within organizations and delivering results emerged at beginning of 21st century. Coaches use coaching techniques and principles in a variety of ways, and each component can improve performance. With regard to performance and coaching responsibilities, the expectations of coaches are vast and require skills to understand business as a whole (Yuksel, 2011, p. 104). Upgrading skills can assist in decision-making process and creates a partnership comprehending business strategies and effect of cost and economic conditions. Passmore (2010) promoted importance of integrating coaching psychology and way coaches can integrate rigorous thinking and data to implement specific strategies.Despite economic downturn and trend to reduce training and coaching as cost-cutting measures, coaching can save organizations millions of dollars a year and can promote improved performance. Coaching can improve standards, and according to a safety management study conducted by Cusack (2011), employee accidents decreased by 20%, and employee motivation and engagement increased by 22% upon completion of coaching.Coaching is a cornerstone of learning and promotes development of people. The future of an organization depends on leaders' ability to develop performance improvement programs that enhance skills and capabilities of workforce (Kaifi & Noori, 2010). …