Leadership and Change Management

The 4 stages of coaching culture in organisations

More and more companies are deciding to use it as part of their retention strategy, in leadership development, in building teams of internal coaches, or in implementing coaching as part of their organisational culture. But not all organisations are at the same stage of using or implementing coaching.

what stage is your organisation at?

According to Megginson and Clusterbuck, in the article "Creating a coaching culture", published in the scientific journal "Industrial and Commercial Training", in 2006, there are 4 stages of coaching culture in organisations:

1st Stage - nascent: organisations where there are already some forms of coaching without a specific structure or strategy. At this stage there is still little knowledge and experience about what to expect from coaching processes and there is still a certain insecurity on the part of the beneficiaries who are involved in these processes.

2nd Stage - Tactical: the organisation recognises some value of coaching processes, but it will be an exclusive task of the Human Resources department, who will identify some needs for using coaching processes. The beneficiaries of the processes already feel some safety in sharing coaching, but ideally they prefer external coaching services to feel in a totally confidential environment.

Stage 3 - Strategic: considerable effort has been made to get everyone in the organisation to see the value of coaching, and to be aware of the proficient use of coaching skills to be used in various situations. Managers are rewarded for the use of coaching in formal situations, such as at performance talks. There is already integration of coaching into HR systems, which works in a mechanical way. And there are models to ensure security and confidentiality in sharing during coaching processes.

Stage 4 - Embedded: employees are all involved in coaching, formally and informally, and at 360Âş. And most of this coaching applies even at an informal level. Coaching is an integral competence part of HR systems, applying automatically and without being felt as an obligation. Coaching skills are fully widespread, so anyone can share their ethical and behavioural challenges, knowing that their motivations will be respected and that their colleagues will not make judgements, but perceive these difficult conversations as opportunities for personal and professional development.

Do you know the post-graduation course in
Executive Coaching?
Published in 
18/5/2021
 in the area of 
Leadership and Change Management

Join Our Newsletter and Get the Latest
Posts to Your Inbox

No spam ever. Read our Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
About the Author
Alexandra Barosa Pereira
Team Coaching Specialist
Alexandra Barosa Pereira has been dedicated to the development of leaders, executives, and teams for nearly two decades, using coaching as a tool for organizational transformation. As Managing Partner of ABP Corporate Coaching, she has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of experience in executive coaching and is known for her ability to combine academic research with practical application in organizations. Author of *Coaching in Portugal: Theory and Practice*, she was a pioneer in promoting the discipline in Portugal and regularly contributes to international programs, including United Nations initiatives. Her approach is highly experiential, focused on participants’ real-world challenges and on fostering leadership that is more aligned, collaborative, and effective.
View full profile
More articles you might find interesting
When Music and Leadership Come Together
Nova SBE Executive Education’s House of Leaders takes the discussion on leadership beyond traditional contexts, linking it to culture, innovation, and society. At Rock in Rio Lisbon, the initiative marked the beginning of an ongoing platform for conversation, knowledge, and collaboration on the future of leadership.
Institutional
Marketeer Awards 2026
Nova SBE Executive Education won the 2026 Marketeer Awards in the “Higher Education Institution” category for the sixth consecutive year, further cementing its reputation as a leader in executive education in Portugal.
Institutional
Nova SBE Executive Education Enters the Global Top 10
Nova SBE Executive Education has achieved its best ranking ever in the Financial Times Executive Education rankings: 9th in the global Top 10 for Customized Programs and among the Top 20 for Open Programs. It also retains its No. 1 position in Portugal.
See all articles