Coaching at work

My very modern Edinburgh dentist practice turns out to be full of coaching enthusiasts.  I have found it a little disconcerting to be discussing the merits of coaching when lying horizontal with my mouth full of – well who knows what really – but mainly fantastic to listen to people who have got so much from their coaching experience. 

They ran a coaching project for 12 months last year and report a whole load of benefits, including a renewed focus on the experience of their customers and patients, improved communication between team members (including shorter but more regular briefing meetings) and an understanding of how important it is to look after their own health and welfare.  That includes organising the work so they’re in four days rather than five, with the extra day for them, their families, their health and their selves.  I’d say it’s brought huge benefits for patients too with a warm friendly atmosphere, good communication at all times and an emphasis on how things are from your end of the dentist’s chair, not theirs.

This was a great experience for me as a patient and I really felt the benefit of their coaching culture.  What  transformations could coaching bring to the places where you work, study or practice?  What differences could it make to places where you’re on the receiving end of services?