In a world facing exceptional challenges, it’s good to see where companies are taking an active role in making a positive difference in our wider society.
Earlier this year, a joint survey of members of the International Coach Federation in the UK and readers of ‘Coaching at Work’ magazine, revealed that 35% of organisations were already using coaches and coaching skills to enhance the impact of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agendas. And a further 15%of organisations had plans to do so in the near future.
Examples of projects where coaches and coaching skills were making a difference were:
• Helping children in their development at school
• Coaching ‘high potential’ leaders amongst underprivileged people in London
• Working in the community with disaffected students and the unemployed
• Working with people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction
• Working with community leaders in developing countries
Often coaches are giving their time and skills at reduced rates or freely in order to make the benefits accessible to the wider community.
The survey found that making a difference in the community can be good for business. 79% of respondents said that it is already very or quite important to their customers that they are perceived as being active with using coaching to support CSR projects. It is also good for the individuals involved too – when asked why they carried out this work some two thirds of individuals said “It was the right thing to do”.
For companies with an active CSR agenda, coaching and coaching skills can clearly help. The International Coach Federation in the UK is holding an event to bring together active leaders of CSR projects and coaches who want to make a difference. Hosted by BT at the conference centre in London on October 23rd the event “Coaching as an integral part of society – Make a Difference NOW” will be creating a space where people can be inspired by stories of success told by those who are making it happen.
Neil Scotton, President of the UK ICF, states “This event is about beginnings. Organisations wishing to increase their CSR impact can benefit from coming along and meeting positive, inspiring coaches who are dedicated to the same purpose”. For more details visit:
www.coachfederation.org.uk/php/form.php?id=355
ENDS
Notes to editors:
International Coach Federation (ICF)
The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the largest and most international professional body in the field of coaching with over 14,000 members across 80 countries. The ICF offers the only independent and international coach credential and has the core purpose of advancing the art, science and practice of professional coaching. For information on the International Coach Federation, please contact John Blakey, Director of Brand Development on 07810 851968 or via [email protected]
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