What Research Reveals About Coaching

The International Coach Federation surveyed 210 coaching clients for demographic data and feedback /opinions about the value and use of coaching. Of these respondents, 197 were employed professionals. All had a formal, on-going relationship with a coach with an average duration of 9 months. Over 80% of the respondents had undergraduate degrees and over a third had Master’s degrees or higher.

Value of the coaching investment:

70% “very valuable” 28.5% “valuable”

Level of confidence in the coach:

50% confide in their coach as much as their best friend, spouse or therapist, 12% confide in their coach more than anyone else.

Main role of the coach:

  • 84.8 % sounding board
  • 78.1% motivator
  • 56.7% friend
  • 50.5% mentor
  • 46.7% business consultant
  • 41% teacher

Typical issues:

  • 84.5 % time management
  • 74.3% career guidance
  • 73.8% business advice
  • 58.6% relationship / family issues
  • 51.9% physical / wellness issues
  • 45.2% personal issues
  • 39.5% goal-setting
  • 38.1% financial guidance
  • 11% creativity

Outcomes attributed to coaching:

  • 67.6% higher level of self-awareness
  • 62.4% smarter goal-setting
  • 60.5% more balanced life
  • 57.1% lower stress levels
  • 52.9% self-discovery
  • 52.4% more self-confidence
  • 43.3% improvement in quality of life
  • 39.5% enhanced communication skills
  • 35.7% project completion
  • 33.8% health or fitness improvement
  • 33.3% better relationship with staff
  • 33.3% better family relationships
  • 31.9% increased energy
  • 31.9% more fun
  • 25.7% more income
  • 25.7% stopped a bad habit
  • 24.3% change in career
  • 22.9% more free time

The survey was conducted by Amy Watson, Principal, PROfusion Public Relations, with survey design assistance by Jackie Rieves Watson, Ph.D., professor of Management and Statistics, Amber University. [Original source]