40% of leaders lack coaching from managers, DDI study reveals

PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES — A recent analysis by DDI, a management consulting firm, underscores the critical need for coaching in the workplace.
Their 2023 survey, involving 1,826 HR professionals and 13,695 business leaders globally, revealed that 85% of HR workers believe enhancing coaching skills among business leaders is essential for future success.
However, 40% of leaders feel they lack sufficient coaching from their managers, and 31% of frontline leaders desire more coaching.
Impact of effective coaching on organizational success
“These insights clearly signal that investing in a coaching culture is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity,” the report said.
“By making coaching a priority, companies can empower their leaders, boost team performance, and achieve lasting success.”
Companies that excel in this area are 2.9 times more successful in engaging and retaining top talent.
These findings align with a recent Perceptyx report. It revealed that managers who receive coaching are 1.3 times more likely to be fully engaged in their jobs, manage stress levels effectively, and handle their workloads.
Moreover, high-potential employees are twice as likely to leave if they perceive their manager as a poor coach.
“Only 11% of high potentials plan to leave within the next year when they receive quality coaching from their managers, compared to 20% when they don’t,” the report noted.
Strategies to address coaching crisis
DDI recommends securing senior-level support to set an example, providing coaching skills training to all leaders, and encouraging employees to apply these skills on the job.
Additionally, implementing accountability measures and evaluating the effectiveness of coaching efforts on employee engagement, retention, and business outcomes is crucial.
“People that are both able to manage change and coach are becoming really critical assets for their organizations,” Stephanie Neal, director of DDI’s Center for Analytics and Behavioral Research, told Fortune.
“Even though we’re seeing people stay [in their jobs] now, we know that the talent pool is going to keep thinning out. And it’s going to be even more critical, of course, to retain people.”