Written by Christa Shephard
In today’s workplace, employee engagement has hit a standstill. Recent Gallup polls show that many employees have become increasingly detached, leading to a phenomenon known as the “Great Detachment,” which is exacerbating burnout among healthcare professionals. In the sixth episode of Coachify Over Coffee, our certified leadership coaches Laura Baldwin and Savory Turman discuss the importance of coaching in combating disengagement among healthcare professionals.
Employees are showing up, clocking in, and collecting paychecks, but they may not be engaged in meaningful ways. The Great Detachment is not just about productivity—it’s also impacting overall employee wellness, both mentally and physically. It has a ripple effect, reducing organizational growth and employee satisfaction. This phenomenon is particularly troubling in healthcare, where staff engagement is critical to patent care and safety. As healthcare workers become more detached, healthcare organizations face lower job satisfaction among staff, higher turnover rates, and a decline in the quality of care provided. In , The Real Impact of Leadership Coaching, Baldwin and Turman dive into the data that may hold the key to alleviating disengagement at work.
According to a recent study, individuals who work with a coach experience 2.9% faster growth in their careers. Coaching provides the guidance and tools necessary to help employees re-engage with their work and, more importantly, their own professional development. Interestingly, only 23% of surveyed business professionals wanted their managers to serve as their coaches, while 56% preferred instructor-led coaching. These preferences illustrate the need for structured coaching programs that go beyond traditional, managerial feedback.
One of the many concerns stopping individuals from asking for the professional coaching they desire is budget constraints. With companies no longer approving bonuses and raises and performing layoffs, employees who feel like they would like professional coaching—which could reinvigorate their emotional and mental connection in the workplace—may feel that asking for professional development opportunities of any kind is hopeless. It’s important for clinical leadership to understand that high staff turnover is more costly than investing in their current employees. Employee disengagement can place financial strain on healthcare organizations with higher costs for recruitment, training, and retention. Engaged employees are more likely to stay in their positions longer, saving the organization money it would have spent replacing an unhappy worker. One of the most important metrics to quantify return on investment (ROI) on leadership development coaching is employee engagement.
When employees are engaged and connected with their work, they’re more productive. Increased productivity for all employees, regardless of where they fall in the organizational chart, directly benefits a company’s bottom line. Professional coaching is just one piece of the employee engagement puzzle, but it’s an important consideration for individuals who look for an organization that provides growth and development opportunities. Internal employee engagement surveys are an important step in determining the ROI on leadership development coaching. To get a baseline understanding of how this specific investment in your employees has affected engagement, an internal survey can provide insights into improved performance, satisfaction, and overall team productivity.
Baldwin and Turman, leadership coaches at BSM Consulting (a division of VMG Health), reminded listeners that coaching isn’t just about career growth; it’s about helping individuals recognize the choices they’re making and empowering them to take control of their professional and personal lives. The coaching process often reveals how workplace issues bleed into life challenges, and vice versa. By addressing both, coaches help individuals achieve true transformation.
Leadership development coaching offers an important pathway for re-engaging healthcare employees and fostering a more connected, motivated, and productive workforce. It’s an investment that benefits both the individual and the organization as a whole. If you’re looking to provide leadership coaching to your employees, Coachify Over Coffee offers valuable insights and actionable strategies. Apply a new approach to your leadership with the help of Laura Baldwin and Savory Turman, two certified coaches dedicated to sharing their expertise with listeners like you.
