In recent years, businesses have faced a high degree of uncertainty and abrupt changes, such as COVID restrictions, economic sanctions, and employee attrition. In such conditions, flexibility of thinking and the ability to quickly adapt to find new opportunities become especially important. However, uncertainty negatively affects the psychological state of employees, which makes it difficult to work actively and adapt. A BetterUpLabs study, published in summer 2022, highlights how coaching can be an effective tool in these challenging times. It helps develop essential skills and confidence, helping businesses successfully adapt to changing circumstances.
What is this study and how was it conducted?
In 2020, researchers accidentally discovered an opportunity to study people's reactions to the global pandemic. They initially collected data for other purposes, but the changed conditions provided a unique chance to evaluate the impact of coaching support on adaptation to significant and negative life changes. This study provides a deeper understanding of how coaching can help people cope with crises and changes, and identifies factors that contribute to successful adaptation under stress.
BetterUpLabs analyzed data from two groups of people. The study focused on identifying key factors influencing their behavior and psychological state. The study focused on differences in stress perception, life satisfaction, and coping strategies. The results of the analysis will help to better understand how social and personal aspects influence emotional well-being. This research is important for the development of effective strategies to support and improve quality of life.
- Group 1
The first group of the study included users of the BetterUp coaching platform who received access to it through their employers. Participants in this group studied remotely with ICF-certified coaches with at least 1,000 hours of supervision. Each interaction took place in individual sessions lasting 30–45 minutes, and users regularly completed questionnaires while working with the platform. The sample included participants who completed between three and 45 sessions, with an average of ten sessions. The researchers analyzed data from 545 of these users, which allows for valuable insights into the impact of coaching on personal and professional development.
- Group 2
The second group included Amazon Mechanical Turk users who participated in a survey conducted by the researchers during the COVID-19 outbreak. After the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, an additional survey was conducted among these users. However, all participants who reported receiving coaching sessions in the 12 months prior to the study were excluded from the sample. Ultimately, the researchers analyzed data from 460 users.
As a result, two categories of people were formed: those who used coaching support and those who did not.
The researchers focused on five key indicators. These indicators provide a deeper understanding of the research topic and identify important trends. Analyzing data on these five aspects will help in further development of the topic and provide more accurate results.
- Well-being: it was determined by measuring life satisfaction, psychological flexibility, and optimism. For example, participants were asked to rate their current satisfaction with life in general or how quickly they were able to cope with stressful situations.
- Relational Behavior: This was studied through authenticity (in this case, the ability to open up to others) and social connections.
- Work Engagement and Productivity: This indicator was measured by rating statements such as "I am often absorbed in work."
The study authors expected that, given the crisis that arose at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, self-isolation, and uncertainty, both groups would perform worse on all three measures. However, the results showed that people working with a coach were better able to cope with negative changes. This underscores the importance of coaching in times of stress and uncertainty, when professional support can significantly improve adaptation and psycho-emotional well-being.
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Coaching is a unique process in which the coach becomes a mirror for the client, allowing them to see their strengths and weaknesses. This approach helps people recognize hidden potential and recognize existing limitations. Working with a coach promotes deep self-knowledge and personal development. Understanding their strengths allows clients to effectively use them to achieve their goals, while recognizing their weaknesses provides opportunities for growth and improvement. Thus, coaching helps people not only better understand themselves but also develop strategies for achieving success in life and career.
Research showed that both groups had different indicators before the pandemic. These differences are important for understanding how COVID-19 has impacted various aspects of people's lives and health. Analysis of pre-pandemic data allows us to identify key factors that may have influenced the groups' resilience to the virus and its consequences. Understanding these indicators can help develop effective strategies to support population health in the future.
- Group 1 (those who worked with a coach) turned out to be more satisfied with life, their level of openness and engagement at work was higher than in Group 2.
- Group 2 (that is, those who did not work with a coach) was distinguished by greater stress resilience.
- No differences were found between the groups in social connections and optimism.
What the study showed
During the pandemic, the situation changed for both groups. However, for those who sought coaching services, these changes were positive. Coaching became more accessible thanks to online formats, which allowed people to receive support and motivation without leaving home. Many began to realize the importance of personal growth and professional development in an environment of uncertainty. This has contributed to increased interest in coaching services and their popularity. Access to qualified professionals has become easier, and clients can choose from a wide range of methods and approaches, which helps them solve their problems more effectively.
- Those who worked with a coach showed increased levels of optimism, life satisfaction, openness, and engagement. Moreover, Group 1 caught up with Group 2 in stress resilience. Moreover, the results were even better than the researchers expected: they predicted that coaching would have a moderate positive effect, but in fact, it turned out to be quite strong.
- For those who did not work with a coach, the indicators either remained the same or declined. The indicators that suffered the most were openness and productivity (although the latter decreased in both groups).
- The only thing that coaching apparently did not affect was engagement. Both groups showed positive growth in this area.
The study confirms that external virtual coaching is an effective tool for supporting employees during times of crisis and change. External coaches can help employees adapt to new circumstances, increasing their productivity and resilience. In an unstable economic environment and constant market changes, the use of virtual coaching is especially relevant. Companies implementing such programs can not only support their employees but also improve overall team effectiveness.
BetterUpLabs experts note that although the study was conducted during a pandemic, its results may be relevant to other crisis situations. There is a suggestion that support from external specialists, even in a virtual format, significantly helps employees better cope with change and stress.
The study authors highlight a number of limitations that may affect the interpretation of the results. The significant difference in scores between the two groups makes it difficult to claim that the results are solely due to coaching. Furthermore, the study did not examine how coaching influenced changes in the participants. However, based on other scientific work, experts suggest that coaching contributes to increased levels of social support, develops a creative approach to task completion, and promotes greater mindfulness in participants.
One limitation of this study is its connection to a stakeholder. BetterUpLabs, as part of the BetterUp coaching platform, may influence the results and interpretation of the data. Conducting a similar study with an independent research team would provide more objective results and increase the credibility of the findings.
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