Workplaces all over the world are equipping staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to coach and mentor their colleagues; ILM’s comprehensive qualifications are a popular solution. Why are they choosing this learning pathway and making this investment?
It’s about more than just developing individual skills. Coaching and mentoring unlock new ways of working – ones that are collaborative, empowering, and sustainable. Organisations are recognising that when people are encouraged and supported to reflect, problem-solve and plan for themselves, they build greater resilience, capability and self-awareness.
There’s also a ripple effect – colleagues who are coached tend to adopt more coaching-style behaviours in their own interactions, whether formally or informally. This creates a culture where listening, empathy and constructive challenge are the norm, not the exception.
ILM Coaching & Mentoring qualifications are being used organisation-wide; by managers, team leaders, subject matter experts, project leads, peer mentors and more – across sectors and levels – to strengthen internal talent and build connected, future-ready teams.
When organisations partner with us for these programmes we are always keen to learn their motivations, meaning we are able to share four of the primary drivers below:
Strategic Impact
Coaching culture = performance culture
Workplace coaching and mentoring embeds behaviours and practices which improve employee engagement and performance – 70% of coached professionals said their work performance improved (1). They are a catalyst for cultures of continuous learning, where growth mindsets are common.
Leadership Development
Great leaders coach, and get coached
This is two-fold – being coached or mentored creates excellent leaders, helping them to set ambitious personal goals and create practical plans to achieve them. Secondly, being able to coach or mentor is an invaluable skill for an effective, people-focused leader to have. It helps them give good feedback, foster psychological safety and create an inclusive environment.
Supporting Change
Change needs support – coaching helps it stick
ILM’s own research strongly suggests (76% agreement) that coaching helps teams navigate the uncertainty of a change project. If your change project requires a shift in mindset, coaching helps people navigate this with less fear, less guesswork and a focus on the positives.
Empowering Staff
Creating agency & freeing up managers
Coaching is about helping people take charge of their own progress. But it only works when managers are willing to let go a little – offering trust, space, and decision-making power to their teams. The result is less pressure on managers to have all the answers, all the time, and more confidence and initiative from staff who no longer feel micromanaged or held back. It’s a win-win that boosts ownership on both sides.
We have been an ILM Approved Centre for years, supporting thousands of learners to achieve their market-leading Coaching & Mentoring qualifications.
We’ve helped workplace coaches and mentors in large public sector bodies, leading universities and important local employers to solidify their knowledge and become accredited in their practice.
Use the button below to tell us about your learning & development priorities!
N.B. If you would like to access high quality one-to-one coaching for your workforce, in addition to or in advance of your internal capacity, we have a diverse team of highly experienced and qualified coaches, ready to provide positive,
