In today’s complex business environment, a fundamental shift is occurring in how organizations approach leadership development. The traditional focus on individual coaching is rapidly giving way to a more holistic approach: Systemic Team Coaching®. This evolution isn’t merely a trend but a strategic response to changing organizational needs.
The Individual Coaching Paradox
For decades, organizations invested heavily in developing individual leaders through one-on-one coaching. The underlying assumption was simple: better leaders create better teams. However, research increasingly challenges this approach.
A 2024 McKinsey study found that 67% of leadership development programs focused on individuals fail to translate into measurable team performance improvements. This disconnect occurs because individual excellence doesn’t automatically create team effectiveness.
“We’ve created organizations full of star performers who struggle to function collectively,” notes Professor Peter Hawkins, a global thought leader in team coaching. “The fundamental mistake was assuming that team excellence is simply the sum of individual capabilities.”
The Economic Reality Driving Change
Beyond effectiveness concerns, market forces are accelerating this shift:
- AI-driven disruption: Basic coaching functions are increasingly being automated, commoditizing individual coaching and creating downward price pressure.
- Internal capability building: Organizations are developing in-house coaching capabilities for individual development, reserving external expertise for complex team challenges.
- ROI considerations: According to PwC’s 2025 Coaching Industry Benchmark Study, team coaching interventions show a 21% higher return on investment compared to equivalent spending on individual coaching.
This evolution creates a clear division: diminishing opportunities for traditional individual coaching versus growing demand for professionals who can facilitate transformation at both individual and collective levels.
The Systemic Team Coaching® Difference
What makes Systemic Team Coaching® fundamentally different from coaching team members individually?
Systemic Team Coaching® addresses the interconnected nature of organizational challenges by working at multiple levels simultaneously:
- Team purpose and identity: Clarifying collective purpose beyond individual goals
- Internal dynamics: Addressing patterns of interaction that emerge only at the team level
- Stakeholder relationships: Examining how the team creates value for its ecosystem
- Learning processes: Establishing frameworks for continuous collective development
“When we work with the whole system rather than its parts, we unlock transformation that individual coaching simply cannot achieve,” explains Dr. Catherine Carr, a leading authority in team coaching methodologies.
Real-World Impact
The contrast in outcomes between individual and team approaches is striking:
- A global pharmaceutical company shifted from individual executive coaching to a team-based approach and reduced their product development cycle by 37%.
- A technology firm implementing Systemic Team Coaching® saw cross-functional collaboration improve by 42% and employee engagement scores rise by 23%.
- A financial services organization reported that team coaching created “exponentially greater impact” than their previous individual-focused program, with measurable improvements in decision-making speed and quality.
The Essential Skill for Forward-Thinking Coaches
For coaches, this shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Those who continue to focus exclusively on individual coaching may find themselves competing in an increasingly commoditized market. However, those who develop expertise in team coaching can position themselves at the forefront of a growing, high-value segment.
“The coaches who thrive in the coming years will be those who can work effectively at both individual and systemic levels,” Hawkins observes. “This isn’t about abandoning individual coaching skills but expanding your capability to work with the collective.”
Learn the Approach That’s Defining Coaching’s Future
Want to discover how to position yourself at the forefront of this lucrative trend? Join our final Systemic Team Coaching® masterclass on June 17th, where Professor Peter Hawkins and Dr. Catherine Carr will share practical frameworks and methodologies for effective team coaching.
Secure Your Spot For The Final Masterclass →
This complimentary 90-minute session will equip you with:
- The Five Disciplines Model for diagnosing and transforming team dynamics
- Practical techniques for shifting team cultures
- Frameworks for structuring high-value team coaching engagements
- Immediate access to our Team Coaching Proposal Creation Tool
As the coaching landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the future belongs to coaches who can create value at the team level. Don’t miss this opportunity to develop this essential capability.
George Nader
