Exploring how to coach Young Business Professionals in a business environment in Western Europe

Abstract

Millennials have entered the workforce and will be the largest group of business professionals in the years to come and they will require business coaching. This group of Young Business Professionals are characterized as being different in terms of attitude, behavior, opinions on privacy, values and motivational drives, worklife balance , etc. Given these difference, it is important to understand how Young Business Professionals, with higher education in Western Europe would like to be coached. There are many different articles in the literature about sub-topics of coaching this cohort, but there is a little that describes their coaching preferences holistically. This dissertation gives some new insights and fundamental answers to the research objective: Exploring how to coach Young Business Professionals in a business environment in Western Europe. A survey (n=49) and interviews (n=14) gave the following indications: Doing meaningful work and personal development are key values and motivators for this group. And so, they would like to be coached along these drivers. Top coaching topics include: Performance optimization, Cooperation with others, Goal Setting. Young Business Professionals prefer discussion oriented coaching with a coach, that has business experience and is inspirational, in a non-directive, but challenging style. This group also wants opinions and advise from the coach when they do not know the answer. Coaching should take place in a classic way. No digital or short sessions, but live 1on1 private session of about 90 minutes, because it is about their future and that should be taken seriously. This cohort rather has an analytical oriented coach than a coach that is emotionally engaged.