Why are graduate programs important?
A graduate program is a great way to future-proof a business. Each year, new candidates enter the organisation with fresh eyes, innovative ideas and energy!
87% of Millennials rate professional career growth and developmental opportunities as important to them in a job. (Gallup 2016)
Why is this important for us to know? As of 2015, Millennials have become the dominant demographic in the labour market. (Pew Research 2015)
With these statistics in mind, a vital part of any graduate program is to support personal and professional development.
Most organisations have a team of people, sitting in the Learning & Development or Human Resource space, who manage the Graduate Program to ensure the graduates rotate through business to get a feel for corporate life, cultural fit and project delivery.
Managers often have their hands full! They need to make sure that the vibrant energy is harnessed and focused in order to achieve success for both individuals and the team.
Why hire an external Corporate Coach?
An external Corporate Coach can be a great support to managers. The coach comes in with a fresh perspective, they are objective and work with the client to drive needed outcomes. The coach will not only add value to the graduates but will also equip the managers to ensure continued personal and professional growth once the coaching engagement has concluded.
I was recently asked to assist with a graduate event where the messaging needed to speak to team cohesion, communication and adaptability, without directly speaking to any of those points.
I partnered with a friend and colleague and we decided to have some fun and host the event outdoors. A change of scenery is often very effective! The graduates were put into mixed teams and using two planks of wood and some rope they needed to problem solve how to get all members of the team across the finish line.
It was so amazing to witness the transformation of energy from the start of the event where everyone was apprehensive and anxious, to the end of the event where new friends were made, great lessons were learnt and everyone felt energised!
The benefit to the managers and the graduate team was tremendous. The best part is that we had lots of laughs and fun as the teams had to fumble, stumble and use clear communication in order to find their rhythm and finish the race! Isn’t that the story of life!
The word FAIL is an acronym for ‘First Attempt Initiates Learning’. With that in mind, the teams had to use learnings from previous rounds to become more cohesive, communicative and adaptable! Everyone had fun and walked away with important lessons learnt.
How a Corporate Coaches adds value
A Corporate Coach can add value and enhance learning through:
- Innovation
- Facilitation
- Support
- Program design & delivery
- Leadership development
- Stretching comfort zones
- Constructive feedback
- Various tools like the Enneagram
Coaching is a powerful way to provide support and create a safe space for exploration and learning. It can drive an increased level of engagement through open and honest conversation. And finally, coaching can facilitate continued development through targeted goal setting.