How Much Coaching is Enough?
By Linda Ballew
A client signs on for coaching and then asks, “How long will it take?” How do you calculate the answer? Is there general agreement in the coaching world on an answer? A blog about the Dose/Effect Relationship in Counselling and Psychotherapy piqued my curiosity.
There are so many factors to consider. What is the client’s goal? How complex is it? How deep are the changes that need to be made? How willing/committed is the client? Is the client ready? Is the client in for the duration?
There is research (mid-1980’s by Kenneth Howard and colleagues) that, in therapy, about half achieve favorable results in 8 weeks. How does this translate to coaching? Or does it?
Is there research out there on this? Coaches, how do you answer the “How long will this take?” question.
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Comment by Leonardo Ravier on 17 March 2008:
Hi Linda,
Maybe this will help.
Here in Spain, a national survey was directly provided to excecutive coaches (in 2006) regarding their work. One of the questions was precisely the DURATION of coaching process. So on pages 24, 25 and 26 of the final report you can review the some of the results on the duration of the coaching engagement:
Hours: 10 to 12 (36%), and over 16 (31%)
Sessions: between 10 and 12 (35%) and between 4 and 6 (25%)
Months: between 4 and 6 (54%)
This is the link where can be downloaded the report call “Market Survey of executive coaching in Spain.” Http://www.icf-es.com/mws/docs/informe_2006.pdf (from ICF-Spain)
Are there any other market reports thereon in other countries?
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In Spanish
Linda,
Quiz√° esto ayude.
Aquí en España en el 2006 se realizó una encuesta nacional directamente a los coaches ejecutivos respecto de su trabajo. Una de las preguntas era justamente la DURACIÓN de las sesiones. Así en las páginas 24, 25 y 26 de dicho informe final, puede leerse lo que suelen durar dichas sesiones:
Horas: entre 10 y 12 (36%), y m√°s de 16 (31%)
Sesiones: entre 10 y 12 (35%) y entre 4 y 6 (25%)
Meses: entre 4 y 6 (54%)
En este v√≠nculo pueden descargarse el informe llamado “Encuesta de mercado de coaching ejecutivo en Espa√±a”. http://www.icf-es.com/mws/docs/informe_2006.pdf (desde la ICF-Espa√±a)
¿Existe algún otro informe de mercado al respecto en otros países?
Comment by Linda Ballew on 18 March 2008:
Many thanks, Leonardo. That is great information. Let’s hear from other countries, organizations, coaches….
Comment by Stacey Basting on 1 April 2008:
Linda,
Thanks for raising such a great question. I am currently writing my dissertation on the experiences of executive clients before, during, and after coaching. One of the things I noticed in doing my literature review was that we tend to talk about coaching in a general sense when we ask these types of questions or do research. Yet, there is quite a large range of coaching types. One continuum to consider here is the difference between coaching designed for transactional outcomes vs coaching for transformation. If we disaggregated the survey data, would we find a difference in the coaching duration? My intuition tells me it might be a great deal easier to answer the question of “How long is appropriate?” when clients and coaches have specific, concrete transactional goals in mind.
I’ve concentrated on the transformational end of the spectrum in my research, and there seems to be more questions and uncertainty on the part of coaches and clients in this area. Some executives have the impression they should take the tools the coach gives them and be independent at a certain point. Others view the coach as filling a role that no one in their company does, and thus aren’t sure how long to remain in the relationship.
Is this addressed in coaching schools? Has anyone in the field taken a position on duration of coaching?
I’m interested to hear what others’ have to say!
Comment by Bronwyn on 14 April 2008:
Hi Linda
Good question. It is always easier to say how long coaching goes for after the event - all things great in hindsight. I know there has been some research into asking people how long they have been coached for but again there are so many variables to this question, ie what were you being coached about, how often, was it voluntary etc…
We don’t have a formula for calculating this at International Coach Academy. It feels like a very individual thing - case by case basis. My personal experience in coaching executives is that the length of the coaching is determined by what the client wants coaching on and the length of time it will take to achieve this and how committed the executive is to coaching. When someone becomes committed to coaching at the executive level, they may change coaches, but they see coaching as a support structure for them.
Comment by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 15 April 2008:
I’ve had some clients who got what they came for in less than ten minutes of a single session. Done.
I have other clients who aren’t done after several years - the goals move, or the condition is chronic.
Personally, I’ve continued to work with Coach Renee Freedman no matter how many other coaches I have for other specific needs.
Renee and I reevaluate the coaching relationship every six months, and I have (so far) concluded that I continue to receive great value from her coaching. No matter how much I learn or grow throughout the years, she always seems to be far enough ahead of me on the path that she is a trustworthy guide and thinking partner.
I’m one of those true believers who thinks having a coach is as essential to good mental and physical health as having a dentist. If work feels complete with one coach, it’s time to start working with a different one!