How to ask your company to invest in leadership coaching
Did you know that your company may pay for some or all of your leadership coaching?
A lot of leaders seek me out themselves because they want to develop their leadership skills, do their job more effectively, and improve their professional results without sacrificing their work-life balance. They typically pay out of pocket for this development, without considering if their team or department has a budget for these services.
Other individual clients have come to me knowing the exact amount their company can contribute, which typically covers all or most of a 6-month coaching partnership.
Otherwise, executives or managers will seek me out for coaching for individuals on their team, already having buy-in that the company will pay for all of the investment.
If money is something that's been holding you back individually from working with a coach, continue reading for simple steps on how to navigate the investment request conversation with your manager.
Do your research
Start with internally at your company, have you checked with your company's benefits, handbook, or other internal HR documents to see if there are already guidelines about this? Sometimes employees get an annual allotment of budget or reimbursable expenses that can be categorized under terms like training, education, or development. Or do you know of anyone else internally who has worked with a coach? How did they approach payment options?
If you don't see anything within your own company, begin to look externally, do you know of any other companies in your industry who offer these types of benefits? Start researching online or asking industry peers. This can be used as a negotiation tool to share that it is already an industry practice.
2. Decide your preferred timing for coaching
Consider when would be the best timing for you to commit to a regular cadence of coaching sessions.
Do you want support before a big deadline coming up?
Do you want support during your busy season to help you navigate priorities, timelines, and work-life balance?
Do you want support during your slow season when you'll have more time to explore learning and development between sessions?
3. Prepare your request
Other considerations you'll want to have prepared to make your case for the company investing in coaching is how do you see it supporting your:
Annual goals/KPIs/responsibilities
Personal development goals
Team's goals
Company's goals or vision
The company needs to see the 'what's in it for them' before making an investment.
4. Send your request
Depending on the dynamics and size of your company, your request will typically go to your manager or the HR lead. I'd recommend you start with an email to your manager to begin the conversation and request you discuss it further in your next one-on-one. Give them at least a week notice so they have time to look into it further as needed.
Make sure you bring your notes and research to the conversation to help you make your case and stay on track.
5. Set a deadline & follow up
If you don't have a clear answer at the end of the conversation, make sure you wrap up the conversation with clear next steps mapped out of who is responsible for what (i.e. your manager will discuss with their VP or HR and you will meet with a few coaches) and a deadline for when you will both check in next.
Don't forget to follow up! Whether it's a check-in meeting or reminder on your calendar to follow up with your email request, don't let it fall through the cracks. Even though there may not be an urgent deadline, it is important to you and your long-term growth.
Ready to meet Brittany to see if you’re a good fit for a coaching partnership? You can schedule a free discovery call here. Coaching clients are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, pending availability.
Brittany Canaski is a highly-rated Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Founder of Hello Velocity where she builds confident leaders and high-performing teams. When she's not building her business, you can find her planning her next travel adventure with her husband, watching Formula 1 racing, or volunteering in her local community of Charlotte, NC.
