Amanda J.W Feggetter

Objectives: This paper describes a preliminary attempt to evaluate executive coaching for 10 members who are on a High Potential Development Scheme within the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Design: A multi-method approach was taken which comprised the use of questionnaires to survey scheme member’s perceptions, a Return on Investment (ROI) study and a follow-up of members to determine their success in gaining promotion.
Results: The analysis showed that all 10 who had been coached rated their experience positively. All rated their own progress within the Development Scheme as High and in particular they perceived it was their leadership skills that had benefited. A preliminary ROI calculation also indicated that the benefits exceeded the costs. Other benefits included promotion, broader leadership skills, and skills transfer within the MoD.
Conclusions: The results indicate that within the context of the Development Scheme coaching provides a potential financial ROI. The findings also show that coaching impacts positively on scheme members such that they are highly committed to demonstrating and exhibiting leadership behaviours and that there is some evidence of a broader impact on the Department as a whole with generalised skills transfer.

Keywords: Coaching Psychology, high potential development schemes, talent management,Return on Investment (ROI), leadership, skills transfer.

Full article: Volume 2, Issue 2 pages 129 - 142