Coaching 'aids relationship-building' and boosts communication

Managers who invest in coaching to further the learning and development of their workforce can ultimately enhance employee communication skills, as well as re-focusing their business strategy.

That is the latest insight offered by Business Link, a provider of information, advice and support for firms in the UK.

Boosting workers' ability to build and maintain relationships is a further possible outcome of the training method, according to the organisation's John Grange.

"It brings people together and they start interacting and learning in different ways which are best for them," he observes.

Mr Grange continues: "It allows one to develop, learn and share common ideas."

Another advantage, he notes, is line managers and operations directors begin to realise that in business "there aren't really many, if any, unique problems".

One advocate of career coaching recently remarked to the Guardian that his experience of the training had "changed his whole attitude" to his job, reinforcing his passion and refocusing his mind.

Jason Holder, the assistant director of property services at a Staffordshire-based housing association, also said it had boosted "collective leadership skills" in his organisation.