Here are my predictions for the coaching industry in 2008. These are based on the changes I experienced and observed whilst coaching in 2007. Will check in on them again at the end of the year to see which, if any, have come true.
- Coaching will become more mainstream and visible than ever in 2008. Newspapers, magazines, TV, radio - all heaving with coaches. People who don't like coaching forced to move to the moon.
- We will see an increase in men hiring coaches, mainly because of the wisdom of the women in their life. I used to focus 100% on coaching women, but last year recieved an increasing number of calls from men - usually because their wives/girlfriends/mother in laws had told them to.
- Generalist life coaching virtually evaporates, with all established coaches working to a particular issue or niche of people (newbie coaches being the exception, as they will still be figuring out their niche).
- As a side-effect to this, there will be more of that most cannibalisitc of niches - The Coach who only Coaches Fellow Coaches. This will then spawn its own subgroup: The Coaches' Coaches' Coach (A coach who only coaches people who coach other coaches), and The Coach For People Who Don't Like Coaching And Are Moving To The Moon.
- Coaching questions will be seen everywhere, including in parliament ('If the right honourable member knew what they wanted, what would that look like?') and the pub ("Cast yourself 20 years into the future - what will you be thinking about this pint you're having now?").
So basically, it's onwards and upwards for coaching in 2008.
And New for 2009 - Coaching Comes To The Moon.
I hope you are right, Joanne, as this is the year that my 'coaching for nurses' business and web community really gets going....a specialist, 'small' niche (well, actually...400,000 in the UK and millions globally) and 22 years experience for me being one of them - I still am too!
Claire
http://www.happynurses.co.uk
Posted by: Claire | January 17, 2008 at 01:33 PM
My predictions like yours Joanne, based on past experience.
1. The massive growth for coaching as "sold" by the coach training schools will NOT happen
2. Requests from corporates for executive coaches to be independently certified will continue to grow.
3. Coaching will grow substantially in the areas of:
a. Real niche life coaching
b. Executive coaching for senior Execs
4. More and more corporates will request full professional coach training for leaders, not just a two day intro.
5. Corporates who view PERFORMANCE COACHING AS A KEY LEADERSHIP SKILL will expect managers/leaders to be able to get certified as coaches. (would you hire a CFO who had only done a two week book-keeping course?)
6. Within 5 years any management training programme of value will incorporate a significant performance coaching component.
7. The real huge growth in coaching will come from every manager learning to coach his/her people as they develop as a leader.
And my wish for the future? As awareness of coaching and it's power becomes more widespread, new coaches will engage in the many ways of developing their professional skill (and practice growth) by engaging with their local professional associations, collaborating and helping each other develop and grow. There will be enough for all.
Posted by: Tony Latimer PCC | January 18, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Cheers Claire and Tony - see you this time next year to find out if we're proved right.
all the best
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Mallon | January 24, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Wish you all the best. This is so helpful.
Posted by: Mentoring | February 28, 2012 at 05:17 AM
Well I guess it was helpful four years ago but glad to hear you're still feeling it
Posted by: Joanne Mallon | March 01, 2012 at 10:55 AM