How workplace-wide coaching and mentoring fosters growth and resilience

Keywords: resilience, productivity, coaching, mentoring, mental health, leadership

Author: Lisa Munro

Date: 7 May 2024, Worklife Digital

While psychometric testing and coaching programmes have long been used amongst the c-suite, some businesses are starting to understand the impact that the invaluable tools of certified external coaching and mentoring can have on employees and managers across all levels. The effects of addressing performance challenges, burnout, and fostering psychological well-being cannot be overstated forn business success.

Breaking Down Barriers: Safe Spaces for Candid Conversations

One of the most compelling aspects of external coaching and mentoring is the safe space it provides for candid conversations. Unlike discussions with line managers, where fears of job security or promotion prospects may stifle openness, mentees often feel more at liberty to express their concerns, challenges, and aspirations to an external coach or mentor. This freedom from organisational hierarchy enables mentees to delve into sensitive topics without the fear of repercussion, leading to deeper exploration and resolution of issues related to underperformance, stress and burnout.

Moreover, external coaches and mentors bring a fresh perspective untainted by internal politics or biases. They offer unbiased guidance and support, free from the constraints of organisational agendas, which can often cloud the judgment of internal stakeholders. By providing objective insights and alternative viewpoints, external mentors and coaches empower mentees to confront obstacles with clarity and confidence, paving the way for meaningful growth and development.

Building Blocks of Psychological Constructs

Beyond addressing immediate performance concerns, coaching and mentoring have proven instrumental in nurturing the psychological constructs essential for positive mental well-being and resilience. Studies have shown that interventions focusing on self-esteem, healthy narcissism, autonomy, and boundary setting contribute significantly to an individual's overall psychological health and resilience in the face of adversity. Through targeted coaching and mentoring sessions, employees and managers can develop these vital attributes, enhancing their ability to cope with stress, navigate challenges, and thrive in the workplace.

Self-esteem, the foundation of healthy self-perception, is fortified through constructive feedback, goal setting, and recognition of achievements in coaching and mentoring relationships. By affirming their worth and capabilities, mentees cultivate a sense of confidence and self-assurance that transcends professional spheres, permeating into their personal lives as well.

Healthy narcissism, characterised by a balanced sense of self-importance and empathy towards others, is fostered through introspective exercises and perspective-taking activities facilitated by coaches and mentors. By encouraging mentees to recognise their strengths and contributions while remaining attuned to the needs of their colleagues, coaching and mentoring instill a healthy sense of self-worth without veering into self-centeredness.

Autonomy, the ability to make informed decisions and take ownership of one's actions, is nurtured through empowerment-based coaching approaches that encourage self-reflection and accountability. By guiding mentees to identify their values, strengths, and goals, coaches and mentors empower them to chart their own paths and embrace responsibility for their professional growth and development.

Empowering Growth, Resilience, and Excellence

Successful coaching programs are characterised by their adaptability and responsiveness to individual needs and challenges. By employing psychological assessment tools, organisations can gain valuable insights into areas of improvement and growth opportunities across all levels. These tools serve as a compass, guiding coaching interventions towards impactful outcomes and ensuring a strong return on investment.

By providing a safe space for open dialogue, offering objective perspectives, and nurturing psychological constructs essential for thriving in the face of challenges, coaching and mentoring empower individuals to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to organisational success. As organisations continue to prioritise the holistic development and well-being of their workforce, investing in coaching and mentoring initiatives for all employees and managers emerges as a strategic imperative for fostering a culture of growth, resilience, and excellence.

WorkLife Digital is a global mental-wellbeing consultancy driven by the mission to improve the sustainability of businesses. Our psychological wellbeing tool, Worklife Quotient (WL-Q), is modelled on cutting-edge scientific research and provides organisation-wide measurement and intelligence on the mental wellbeing levels and psychological resilience of staff. WL-Q also assesses the impact of organisational practices (i.e. people and culture, leadership styles, organisational purpose and values, social impact) that have a direct influence on staff wellbeing and provides strategic recommendations on addressing risks and promoting strengths.

For more information, get in touch at lisa@worklife.digital