Liz Sebag-Montefiore: Technology in coaching

Words by: Liz Sebag‑Montefiore​

Coaching for all

I firmly believe that everyone can benefit from coaching, not just executives and high fliers but employees at all levels and teams too. Increasingly we see organisations designing coaching into their leadership development programmes.

Coaching is the most powerful development tool in the development toolbox because it is personalised. The ICF says that every dollar invested yields benefits between 4 to 8 times the level of investment. A good coach gives their client space and time to step away from dealing with the day-to-day to look again at priorities, to be completely open and honest in exploring issues and concerns in a safe and confidential atmosphere.

At 10Eighty, we use a sophisticated app which allows coaches and clients to meet, match, contract and communicate; the app facilitates coaching conversations and provides resources and training to support those conversations. Online features integrated with traditional coaching enable high-performance coaching for all levels of employees.

Enhanced performance

There’s a myth prevalent that coaching is used to correct problems, help struggling managers, or address performance issues. In fact, the truth is that lots of fantastic leaders have coaches. However well you are performing, you probably aspire to do even better. Coaching is about objective challenge and providing a sounding board, to enable the client to push themselves. It’s about enabling people to become even better at what they do, giving them the space and time to think, about pushing to be more.

In the post-pandemic world of work, managers need to adapt swiftly to new technologies and volatile markets. Practicality means workers need to be flexible, able to collaborate and share knowledge with colleagues, and quick to learn new ways of doing things. Coaching helps the individual collate, absorb and process new perspectives and ideas.

The pandemic has changed the way we work, and it has changed the way we deliver training and development programmes. Organisational clients now expect more online coaching using software like Zoom and Teams and they look to online coaching platforms as a mechanism for delivering large coaching projects.

High-tech coaching

10Eighty’s executive coaching application connects clients to coaches and guides them through the coaching process; the application acts as a central hub for development which clients can access via mobile, tablet and desktop. They can access educational courses, development materials, readings, exercises, podcasts, discussion forums, and coaching groups.

The dashboard incorporates a diary/scheduling facility which allows coachees to book meetings and calls seamlessly, and it can be facilitated via the message functionality or in-house video platform. We designed our app so that clients use filters to search for a coach who aligns with preferred coaching goals, coaching style, client sector and more. In addition to online resources to support clients both coach and coachee can set goals and track progress.

We aim to deliver coaching tailored and personalised to meet individual needs, aspirations and experience. Special areas of interest may include career planning, portfolio working, approaching retirement, business start-up, non-executive roles and other work specific topics. Chemistry and matching are important because the right coach can help you learn new skills, become more self-aware, and set specific measurable goals - both short-term and strategic.