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 the enhancement of individual development. Organizational leaders around the world promote coaching. Such organizations include the International Coaching Council, the International Coaching Federation, Certified Coaches Federation, and the European Coaching Institute. The popularity of coaching is a testament to the 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 the practices of Socrates and date back to 400 BCE (Before the Common Era), when questioning and gaining a response or answers provided learners with the 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 the telecommunications industry, the importance of developing core competencies and increasing organizational competitive advantage will set one organization apart from the rest. Coaching can be business based, as the 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 the promotion of learning organizations. Business today is in the 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 the components differently in a variety of capacities diversifies the concept.The unique component of coaching from a business perspective aligns with the 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 the beginning of the 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 the decision-making process and creates a partnership comprehending business strategies and the effect of cost and economic conditions. Passmore (2010) promoted the importance of integrating coaching psychology and the way coaches can integrate rigorous thinking and data to implement specific strategies.Despite the economic downturn and the 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 the development of people. The future of an organization depends on the leaders' ability to develop performance improvement programs that enhance the skills and capabilities of the workforce (Kaifi & Noori, 2010). …