Building a business case for coaching investment. Initiate that conversation NOW!

Everyone's talking about performance reviews and development plans right now. But there's a missing piece: the shortage of employers willing to invest in coaching. If you're an ambitious professional, this is your moment to secure the coaching support that accelerates your growth. Too many talented employees miss out on coaching simply because they wait for their manager to offer it. This year, take control. The conversation needs to change. It's your review, and if you want to be empowered to reach your full potential, you need to initiate the conversation. It's time to make the business case to your manager as to why coaching is an investment not an expense. Don't wait to be asked.   Here's a 5-step guide by way of an example: 1) Identify a high-value problem your development could solve Think like a strategist. What challenge in your role or team could improved leadership or communication directly impact? e.g. The impact on client satisfaction scores caused by failure to resolve friction between diverse groups of internal stakeholders. 2) Be clear and confident about what you're asking Ambiguity kills good requests. State exactly what kind of coaching you want and how long you'll commit. e.g. I'm requesting investment in a 6-month coaching programme to focus on cross-functional leadership and strategic delegation. 3) Make a link to the ROI Leaders respond to measureable outcomes. e.g. Executive Coaching will unlock XX% of my time to focus on closing $$ client revenue growth. Coaching will pay for itself instantly. 4) Commit to measurement Make accountability part of your proposal e.g. In 6 months, I'll present quantitative results of the ROI. 5) Follow up and take initiative Don't wait for permission to grow. Once you've prepared your case, schedule a meeting and present it with confidence. The conversation doesn't just benefit you; it helps the company retain engaged, high-performing talent. Ready? Go! I'm passionate about helping ambitious professionals build stronger cases to get the coaching they deserve so they can grow faster and lead with impact. If you’d like guidance on preparing your proposal or want coaching tailored to your goals, let's connect.