More and more employers are recognizing the value health coaching provides to their employees. When your workforce is unhealthy, stressed out, burned out and dissatisfied, they’re simply not able to bring their best selves to work. In fact, they might show up less frequently and they might be statistically less productive.
In our conversations with employers, asserting this truth – that health coaches are an invaluable tool for shaping a better workforce – is no longer our biggest hurdle. The main challenge of late is helping employers distinguish between real health coaching and the many other health & wellbeing benefits on the market with very similar names and descriptors. Today, we identify some common misconceptions so employers everywhere can qualify these differences and ensure they’re giving their employees the benefit of true health coaching.
Text-based ‘coaching’, alone, isn’t the same as a dedicated health coach.
Before we unpack this key difference, it’s important to preface things by explaining text-based messaging can be an important part of staying in contact with a health coach. But effective health & wellbeing coaching programs require personalized, regular one-on-one sessions with a dedicated health coach who takes the time to explore your goals, values, needs and potential challenges. Effective health coaching programs require more than semi-regular text nudges with a ‘coach’ on-call.
Many employee assistance programs or employer-sponsored “coaching” tools on the market simply operate by sending periodic text reminders around health focus areas they infer from a short survey or questionnaire. They might say things like, “Did you take your medication today?” or “Did you schedule your annual physical?” And again, while these are important reminders and can be effective in accomplishing broad, short-term goals, these are not equivalent to the work of a dedicated health coach. These don’t replace regular conversations where health coaches leverage science-backed tools like motivational interviewing to unpack complex, value-driven goals and work painstakingly alongside employees to develop and execute a plan of action that brings them to fruition. Text-based nudging is NOT health coaching.
Digital health tools, alone, don’t have the same impact as working with a health coach.
Of course, another preface is in order. Digital tools are powerful – and for some, life changing. But digital tools, alone, are not as effective as when supplemented by a health coach. There is no supplement for guided dialogue with questions that lead clients down a path of self-discovery and behavior change. We always say, the human eye and AI are meant to complement each other and in the foreseeable future, the human eye is still greater than AI.
Digital health companies that embed live coaching within their existing product or service offer better outcomes as evidenced by numerous studies. However, often, the coaching that is included within these solutions addresses only one challenge, while real coaching looks at the person holistically, and addresses the multitude of challenges and daily stressors we are faced with.
Bonus: 3-6 sessions with a non-dedicated health coach isn’t as valuable as a long-term coaching relationship.
Many employee assistance programs might offer limited one-off sessions with a non-dedicated health coach. This is a good start, but it’s not nearly enough. Health coaching is not about getting a question answered in a quick phone call with someone who may or may not be adequately trained in expansive coaching techniques. In order to reap the full benefits of working alongside a health coach, most employees will need regular sessions with their coach and, depending on their goals, consecutive coaching sessions over the span of several months or at times even longer. Long-term coaching allows for deeper understanding and trust to develop between the coach and the employee, which is essential for addressing the root causes of issues and for tailoring strategies that lead to sustainable change.
This can vary greatly from person to person, but lasting behavior change takes dedication, personalization, and perseverance, which are all achievable by working steadily with a given health coach over time. Continuous support and accountability provided through long-term coaching help employees navigate challenges and maintain their progress, ultimately leading to more significant and lasting improvements in their health and well-being.
We’re proud to provide dedicated, scalable health coaching services to employers across the country, giving their employees access to personalized mental health and behavior change support so they can bring their best selves to work every day.
Through validated and verified health coaches we work to understand the “why” behind the many ways poor mental and physical health show up in the workforce. It’s not just absenteeism, it’s struggling with the stress of being a caretaker. It’s not just burnout, it’s poor stress management techniques. You can’t unpack this with text messages, digital tools or limited sessions with a revolving door of so-called coaches, alone. You can only achieve this with real, one-on-one health coaching relationships with trained professionals who are committed to achieving results with impact. If you’re ready to get real about real health coaching, send us a note to team@yourcoach.health.