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Gap Analysis: Leadership Training for Life Coaches

Tenaya Watson
AET/570
July 11, 2016
Dr. Patrick Oldenburgh Jr.

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Overview
Leadership training has been a part of history for many years. From the 1800s to current
times, management and leadership played a role in the workplace. According to Don Clarks blog
A Timeline of Management and Leadership (2016, May 16), history of management and
leadership was detailed in the following timeline: 1880-scientific management of managers in
higher positions compared to average workers; 1900s-organizational and action learning was
important for productive learning in organizations; and 2000s-theories evolved to drive
motivation in the workplace to encourage self-direction, task completion, and a sense of purpose
(para. 3-6). Leadership training for managers and/or supervisors, specifically senior life coaches,
could embrace all of these characteristics to benefit the workplace environment and learning
experiences.
Leadership training for managers and/or supervisors of life coaches could be assessed in
various ways. A gap analysis is required to assess the needs, behaviors, and skills of employees
supplying life coaching in the community. According to the Mindtools website article Using
Gap Analysis (2016), a gap analysis is used as a tool for identifying the future state, current
situation, and next step for action in an organization or business (para. 2-5). The gap analysis
will identify the following: Educational need, assessments and/or techniques for determining the
need for leadership training programs, and ways leadership training has a positive impact on
adult learning.
Educational Need
Life coaches have certain educational needs in leadership training programs. Educational
needs regarding these coaches attending leadership trainings could consist of the following: New
skills or creative ideas to improve job performance and ways to gain self-confidence or maintain

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motivational learning. Life coaches that attend leadership trainings could benefit by acquiring
certain skills, such as strategies to attract new clients. Senior coaching mentors, managers, and
supervisors would be supplied to promote leadership and successful coaching strategies for these
employees.
Key Techniques and Assessment Information
The gap analysis could provide additional information through assessments, formal
and/or informal, to reveal the need for leadership training in the workplace. These assessments
will be utilized in the following formats: Feedback questionnaires, question/answer tests or
quizzes, and informal interactions with senior coaching mentors or fellow life coaches. Reference
the examples below:

Survey on Leadership
Training Questions:
How will leadership training
improve life coaching skills?
What are some ways to
motivate learning?
How has this training
improved your coaching
strategies?

Feedback Comments:

Suggested Positive Impact

on Adult Learning:
I will gain new skills and ideas Create teaching strategies
to coach clients.
Give positive feedback to
Create motivation
clients.
I feel inspired and motivated
Create sense of purpose
to coach.

Question/Answer Quiz Example:

1) Everyone could benefit from life coaching. True or False
Suggested Positive Impact on Adult Learning:
Learning new coaching strategies and flexibility when working with other people

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Observation example of informal interactions with senior coaching mentors:

Life coaches are observed in real-life coaching scenarios when mentor is present to
experience hands-on coaching strategies.

Observations of informal interactions with fellow life coaches:

Life coaches are observed in workplace scenarios with fellow employees.

Suggested Positive Impact on Adult Learning:

Understanding the importance of working with others to create a positive and motivational
workplace environment

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References
Clark, D. (2016, May 16). A Timeline of Management and Leadership. [Web Log Post].
Retrieved from
http://www.nwlink.com/~Donclark/history_management/management.html
Mindtools. (2016). Using Gap Analysis. Retrieved from
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/gap-analysis.htm