TD Magazine Article
Coaching and Leadership, May 2025
What could coaching do for your organization?
Published Thu May 01 2025
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According to the Coaching: Enhancing Leadership and Performance whitepaper from ATD Research, the primary benefits organizations received from their formal coaching programs were improved leadership and management skills, enhanced employee performance, and better job satisfaction and engagement for coachees. The vendors in this section present additional benefits coaching can have on participants.
Work is undergoing a rapid metamorphosis. Organizations are no longer simply facing isolated talent gaps or evolving employee expectations; they are navigating a fundamental shift in how work is defined and executed. Traditional training is struggling to keep pace with the demands of hybrid work, complex skill development, and the urgent need for human-centered capabilities such as leadership and emotional intelligence.
Employees seek personalized, engaging experiences that resonate with the complexities of real-world challenges. That necessitates a move beyond static content and toward dynamic, experiential learning that cultivates critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
Immersive learning—powered by technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality—offers a powerful solution. By creating hyper-realistic, scenario-based experiences, bridging the gap between theory and practice is achievable. For instance, AI-driven coaching platforms provide dynamic role-playing scenarios that adapt to individual responses in real time; in a safe, controlled environment; with real-time feedback and data.
The impact is significant. Research indicates that immersive training can dramatically reduce training time and increase learning retention compared to traditional methods. As businesses strive to upskill their workforce in a landscape of constant change, immersive learning is emerging as a critical tool for developing the on-the-job skills needed to succeed.
Leadership training provides essential knowledge and best practices, but that alone doesn't drive change. This is where coaching makes the difference.
Coaching turns learning into action, helping leaders apply what they learn in real-world situations. While training offers standardized content, coaching personalizes development to each leader's unique challenges, ensuring greater impact. It closes the knowing-doing gap, ensuring leaders not only understand new skills but use them effectively.
Another key benefit is making learning stick. Without reinforcement, people forget up to 75 percent of training content within days. Coaching keeps leaders engaged, helping them retain and implement what they've learned. It also provides real-time problem solving, guiding leaders through workplace challenges using newly acquired skills.
Beyond skill building, coaching fosters self-awareness, accountability, and motivation, ensuring leaders stay committed to growth. And when aligned with business objectives, it ensures leadership development delivers real impact—stronger leaders, better teams, and a higher return on investment.
Training lays the foundation, but coaching builds the structure that lasts. Together, they create a powerful synergy that drives both individual leadership growth and organizational success.
Welcome to the People Era, where democratizing learning is not just a trend but a strategic necessity. According to LinkedIn's 2024 Workplace Learning Report, eight in 10 professionals say learning adds purpose to their work—a shift organizations can't afford to ignore.
Gone are the days when professional development was reserved for executives. Today's top companies ensure every employee, from entry level to leadership, has access to growth opportunities. Yet, a significant gap remains—41 percent of employees want coaching, but 67 percent have never received it, according to CoachHub, the global leader in artificial intelligence and digital coaching. That represents a missed opportunity to unlock workforce potential. By democratizing learning, organizations drive innovation, resilience, and engagement at all levels.
Engagement and retentient find their manager's guidance unhelpful. Providing personalized learning resources aligned with career goals increases engagement, retention, and loyalty. Companies that prioritize development attract top talent while reducing turnover costs.
Equipping teams for the future. Resilient teams are built through intentional learning. Beyond technical skills, democratized learning enhances adaptability, communication, and leadership. Companies that embrace this shift won't just keep up—they'll lead the future of work.
