Put me in Coach!

Michael Docherty has a wonderful post over at the Fast Company Blog about the ever-expanding role of coaches in today's business climate. I must say that I share many of Michael's concerns about the coaching industry and the perceived need that organizations have in bringing a coach into the organization.

Why is it that we take criticism from people outside our organizations more seriously than criticsm from those who are working inside our walls? Why do we think that our own people are unable to offer an objective analysis of what individuals and organizations need to do in order to improve?

I think Greenleaf would say that organizations don't need to bring in a coach if they would do a better job in structuring people's roles, identifying strengths and weaknesses of team members, and making sure there is someone on every committee who is willing to challenge the prevailing thought process. In other words, most organizations have the resources to move both the institution and individuals forward; they just need to be willing to take the risk and allow criticism from within.