Coaching Seen as Vital for Future Workplaces, But Most Leaders Lack Formal Training

In today’s dynamic workplace, coaching (34%) emerges as one of the top initiatives business leaders foresee their organisation prioritising in the next five years, alongside training (41%), and feedback mechanisms (38%).  According to the majority of business leaders (94%) and employees (92%), individuals across all levels and job roles can benefit from coaching, with most perceiving it as important for their personal and professional development (85% of business leaders, 80% of employees).

In driving organisational growth, about nine in ten business leaders and employees (90% business leaders, 92% employees) agree that all leaders should possess coaching skills. Yet, a quarter of business leaders (27%) lack both coaching skills and formal training, while over half (55%) report having the relevant skills but are not formally certified.

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Moreover, there is interest in developing coaching skills not only among business leaders but also employees, highlighting that coaching is an in-demand skill across the workforce. About three in four business leaders (74%) and around half of employees (52%) are interested in developing coaching skills to support others in their organisation, even if they do not plan on becoming a full-time coach.

These are some of the key findings from NTUC LearningHub‘s Leadership and Coaching Report, based on a survey involving 150 business leaders and 300 full-time working professionals. The report investigates the essential skills and competencies that leaders must cultivate, while exploring the critical role of coaching in talent and organisational development across all levels and roles.

In developing their own capabilities, nearly nine in ten business leaders (17% very important, 71% important) and employees (17% very important, 71% important) believe coaching is essential in bridging the gaps in their personal leadership skills.

Powerful questioning (51% business leaders, 40% employees), relationship management (47% business leaders, 47% employees), effective communication (44% business leaders, 59% employees), active listening (38% business leaders, 49% employees) and giving constructive feedback (39% business leaders, 48% employees) are the top five coaching-related technical skills both business leaders and employees find useful.

In addition, about two in three business leaders (13% very interested, 53% interested) and about two in five employees (4% interested, 36% interested) are interested in becoming certified coaches.

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The top coaching areas that both leaders and employees are keen to specialise in include leadership coaching (51% business leaders, 29% employees), team performance coaching (39% business leaders, 25% employees), career coaching (35% business leaders, 34% employees), and personal/life coaching (30% business leaders, 37% employees).

Commenting on the report’s findings, Mr Amos Tan, Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Core Skills Officer, NTUC LearningHub, says, “The findings from the report underscore that coaching has evolved from a “nice to have” skill to a vital enabler of effective leadership, equipping leaders to strengthen team dynamics and navigate complex challenges in today’s world with agility. At the same time, coaching skills are not exclusively for leaders, as employees can also develop these skills to uplift peers and support others at the workplace. Organisations should leverage this keen interest in learning to use coaching as a powerful catalyst for individual growth and organisational success, through active listening, purposeful questioning and thoughtful guidance. Therefore, coaching initiatives should be designed to be accessible and inclusive, ensuring widespread impact such that every employee can benefit. By placing coaching and leadership development at the forefront, businesses can nurture resilient leadership, build high-performing teams, and unlock the potential of their workforce both in the present and over the long term.”