Professional Coaching ROI

What follows are some of the results of the first comprehensive survey of clients of coaches. The results of this survey underscore the value, impact and endurance of this emerging profession. Coaches, the new breed of consultant/advisor that clients are hiring to help them succeed at their goals, have established fiercely loyal clientele and are making an impact on organizations of all sizes and across all industries.

During the last quarter of 1998, the International Coach Federation (ICF) polled 210 coaching clients for demographic data and opinions as part of its research effort into the legal, regulatory, and credentialing issues that is has confronted during its rapid growth. All respondents had a formal relationship with an ICF coach, regularly meeting for strategy sessions for an average of nine months.

The highlights of the survey findings include:

  • 98.5% of coaching clients find coaching to be valuable or very valuable!
    • 70% of respondents said their investment in a coach was “very valuable”; 28.5% said their investment was “valuable”.
  • 94% of respondents believe coaching is here to stay and has become a recognized profession.
  • 50% of the respondents confide in their coach as much as their best friend, spouse or therapist.
  • 84.8% of respondents said the main role of their coach is to listen to them and give honest feedback.
    • 78.1% called the coach a motivator
    • 56.7% a friend
    • 50.5% a mentor
    • 46.7% a business consultant
    • 41% a teacher
  • Respondents say they most often turn to their coach for help on
    • 80.5% for time management
    • 74.3% for career guidance
    • 73.8% for business advice
    • 58.6% on relationships/family issues
    • 45.2% on personal issues
    • 39.5% on goal setting
    • 11% on creativity
  • The outcomes that clients most often attribute to their coaching are
    • higher level of self-awareness (67.6%)
    • smarter goal setting (62.4%)
    • more life balance (60.5%)
    • reduced stress levels (57.1%)
    • self-discovery (52.9%)
    • greater self-confidence (52.4%)
    • better quality of life (43.3%)
    • enhanced communication skills (39.5%)
    • ability to complete projects(35.7%)
    • improved relationship with boss or co-workers (33.3%)
  • 82% of coaching clients have undergraduate degrees; over a third hold Master’s degrees or higher.