1 Coaching can be very effective as a form of individual development. What should companies do to ensure that the learning that occurs is helpful for the group and organisation as a whole? During the past decade and a half, coaching has become embedded in the BBC. It started in the late 1990s when it was confined to senior executives who had external coaches.

However, it was felt that staff more generally could benefit from coaching. The cost of hiring external coaches would have been too great, so the BBC developed a team of internal coaches made up of people who had achieved success in the corporation and were willing to give some of their time to enabling others. There are now 65 coaches delivering coaching to over 200 people from across the organisation.

Initially, the approach was informal, but now training courses have been set up for the coaches to ensure that they are equipped with the right skills to develop others. Coaches are selected through an assessment centre and given continuous support via a supervisor.

Coaching is divided into three ‘routes’ that are designed to meet the needs of executives in their first 100 days, senior managers and middle managers. Demand is growing and the BBC believes that coaching plays an important role in building the internal community.