Agefi Luxembourg - novembre 2024

Novembre 2024 39 AGEFI Luxembourg Droit / Emploi By Rachel TREECE, CEO, Henka Institute* A s I startedwriting this arti- cle, I was sitting at the Cac- tus on Rue de Scillas, directly opposite the building where I beganmy career in Luxembourg 32 years ago. A lot has changed since those early days, both in the business landscape and inmy own journey. Today, as the head of the Henka Institute, I am passionate about helping or- ganisations foster resilient, adaptable work cultures. In Luxembourg’s fast-paced, multicultural environment, the importance of employee well-being and growth has never been clearer. Organisations across Luxembourg and beyond are now recognising the profound impact that work- placewellness canhaveon their success.At theheart of this transformation is the rise of a coaching cul- ture—apowerful approach that promotes resilience, engagement, and sustained growth by embedding continuous learning, personal development, and open communication. Unlike traditional wellness initiatives, which often emphasise physical health alone, a coaching culture addresses the full spectrum of human experience at work. Coaching creates a supportive space for employees to explore challenges, alignpersonal val- ues with organisational goals, and build critical skills like emotional intelligence. This transformative approach results in amore en- gaged, resilient, and adaptable workforce—quali- ties that are increasingly essential inLuxembourg’s fast-paced, international business landscape. BeyondWellness Programmes: The Shift to Coaching The idea of workplace wellness isn’t new. For decades, companies have invested in wellness ini- tiatives, fromfitness centres in the 1960s to person- alisedhealthprogrammes in the 80s and 90s. These programmes focused onmitigating health risks by promoting fitness, nutrition, and stress manage- ment. However, as workplace demands grew, companies started recognising that physical health alone wasn’t enough to support employees in a rapidly changing world. In the early 2000s, wellness evolved into a holistic concept, addressing not only physical health but also mental, emotional, and even spiritual well- being. Today, nearly 95% of large companies offer some form of wellness programme, yet many are finding that adding a coaching element signifi- cantly amplifies the benefits. Coaching goes be- yond supporting employees’ health; it empowers them to thrive in their roles, navigate challenges, andmanage change. InLuxembourg, wheremany industries experience constant transformation and competition, coaching provides employeeswitha toolkit tomanage stress, build resilience, andenhance communication skills. One Luxembourg-based financial services firm re- cently integrated a coachingprogramme to help its leaders develop emotional intelligence. This shift resulted in notable improvements in teamengage- ment and productivity, with leaders reporting stronger connections with their teams and greater job satisfaction. The Power of Resilience and Emotional Intelligence Resilience is often considered the cornerstone of success in high-pressure environments. Coaching supports this by helping individuals develop awareness and control over their emotional re- sponses. In one session with a manager in the tech industry, we discussed how they could build em- pathy and patience during times of uncertainty. Through coaching, this manager was able to shift from reacting to stress with frustration to respond- ing with calm and openness, which had a positive impact on their team’s morale. Moreover, coaching fosters emotional intelli- gence—a skill crucial to leading through change. Leaders who understand their own emotional re- sponses and empathise with others create psycho- logically safe environments where teams feel supportedandvalued. In the banking sector, for ex- ample, one Luxembourg-based leader shared how coaching helped himmanage his emotions during organisational restructuring, enabling him to sup- port his teamwith empathy and transparency. Such shifts can be powerful, building trust and loyalty within the team. Aligning Career Goals with Organisational Success While the benefits of coaching extend to stress management and emotional re- silience, they are also profoundly im- pactful for career development. Effectivecoachinghelpsemployees set clear, achievable goals aligned with both their personal aspira- tions and the company’s vision. For instance, using coaching frameworks like the GROW model (Goals, Reality, Options, Way Forward), employees can break down their ambitions into ac- tionable steps, buildingmomentumto- wards their objectives. In one case, an employee at a multinational in Luxembourg worked with a coach to clarify her career aspira- tions and align them with the organisation’s growth objectives. This claritynot onlygave her a sense of purpose but also translated into tangible contributions that ben- efited the entire team. Her increased motivation and productivity had a ripple effect, inspiring oth- ers topursue their ownprofessional growthwithin the organisation. Coaching also encourages a lifelong learning mindset, which is invaluable in an ever-evolving job market. Through targeted skill development and continuous feedback, coaching helps employ- ees stay adaptable and capable of tackling new challenges. The result is aworkforce that feels both valued andprepared to contribute to the organisa- tion’s success. CreatingLasting Impact onTeamDynamics A coaching culture doesn’t just transform individu- als—it’spositivemomentumthroughout teams and thewider organisation.Whencoaching is integrated into the workplace, open communication and col- laboration flourish. Teams feel empowered to share ideas, address challenges collectively, and support each other’s growth. In Luxembourg, one company recently observed how a coaching-based initiative improved team dynamics, resulting in a 20% in- crease in project efficiency and reduced turnover. In another instance, a team in the logistics industry implemented regular coaching sessions to address tensions arising fromrapidorganisational changes. With guidance, teammembers learned to manage conflict constructively, embrace differing view- points, and approach challenges as opportunities for learning. These changes in team dynamics not only improved performance but also strengthened the team’s resilience, creating a supportive environ- mentwhere employees could thrive. The impact of a coaching culture on teams is clear: it fosters col- laboration, enhances problem-solving skills, and enables teams to navigate complex challengeswith confidence. For organisations looking to retain top talent, these qualities are invaluable, contributing to a healthier, more engagedworkplace. Conclusion: ACall to Embrace Coaching for a ThrivingWorkplace In today’s fast-changingbusinessworld, the organ- isations that succeed are those that prioritise not only productivity but also the well-being of their employees. By integrating coaching into the work- place, leaders in Luxembourg and beyond can un- lock their teams’ full potential, creating environ- ments where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their goals. * The Henka Institute is specialise in building coaching cultures that drive organisational growth and resilience. Henka offers tailored coaching programmes designed to foster continuous learning, open communication, and personal growth. More info: https://www.henkainstitute.com/ A Luxembourg Perspective Unlocking Success Through a Coaching Culture p r oposes a l a r ge pane l of : the fu r the r education cent r T he L u x embou r g L ife l ong L e TION EDUCA FO OOKING L e of the Chambe r of emp l oyees ( a r ning Cent r e ( LLL C) , PROGRAMM CONTINUIN R g s CS L ) , ? ES G courses Specialised trainin University degree Seminars Evening courses ȴLWUHFODQRLVVHIRU3 UH΍RJQLQLDUW D iscove r ou r VQRLWDF © Tom Fielitz Photography LLL C .l u