When asked by the consulting firm Blessing White, "What coaching action did you value the most?" 2,000 managers and employees in 17 countries responded as follows:
Stretched me beyond what I thought I could do (20%)
Asked questions to help me think through and solve work challenges on my own (18%)
Guided me by sharing insights and experiences (13%)
Treated me as an individual; understood my needs (10%)
Recognized my talents and accomplishments (10%)
Provided useful feedback to help me achieve my career goals (9%)
Was candid; told me what others would not (8%)
Helped me understand where I could make a difference in the organization (7%)
Established clear performance goals (3%)