Today’s leaders have to deal with a constantly changing environment. Uncertainty has become the new normal. This translates into ever-higher expectations, split-second decisions, and a greater need to find meaning in what they do, as their traditional points of reference are disappearing.
This environment, where everything seems to be sped up without any apparent logic, calls for a new leadership approach, one that is simultaneously anchored, agile, and resilient. Coaching can be a key driver in developing this kind of approach.
At Humance, we have the privilege of helping leaders become better equipped to manage and influence their partners and teams.
How to cope with a “BANI” world
For over 30 years, the acronym VUCA (which stands for volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) was used to describe the world. According to Forbes* business magazine, we now live in a BANI world, i.e. one that’s brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible. While it may be an abstract concept, this new frame of reference has concrete repercussions on our daily lives and organizations.
Today’s geopolitical challenges have made us realize just how fragile our business relationships are. Their impact on our organizations and jobs is staggering. From one day to the next, we don’t know what new problem will be looming, which can easily become a source of anxiety. We’re hyper-connected and under pressure in a fast-paced world where we want to generate short-term performance, but a decision made today could prove to be the wrong one tomorrow. Under these conditions, how can we create meaning, alignment, and a long-term vision in a non-linear and increasingly incomprehensible context?
Managers haven’t been spared from the chaos. They’re often on the front line and have to confront two issues: managing the impact of this reality on themselves, their state of mind, and their energy; and acknowledging and managing the impact on their team members, who each have to deal with it in their own way. That’s where coaching can help provide guidance.
Coaching your way through uncertainty
To help you navigate this BANI world, we offer personalized, practical support to help you develop the following skills:
Emotional intelligence, collaborative intelligence, and empathy are put to the test. Coaching enables us to better manage your own and others’ emotions, develop empathy for people whose reactions are different from our own, better adapt our communication, and cultivate resilience and a clear understanding in the face of headwinds. Do you let yourself be overwhelmed by emotions, or are you able to welcome and manage them?
Our behaviours and ways of doing things that worked well in the past may not have the same impact now. Coaching gives us the opportunity to question our convictions and beliefs. It encourages us to adjust our reactions, behaviours, and reflexes. It requires us to be flexible and rethink our points of reference in order to work more effectively in this new environment. What reflexes or beliefs no longer serve you in the current context? What should you replace them with?
Coaches help managers develop a tailored management approach. Coachees are given the tools to maximize their influence and engage their partners and team members. Coaching enhances team synergy and resilience, sparking conversations that turn challenges into opportunities. What’s your usual approach? Do you tend to act like an expert or an inspirational leader?
Measurable benefits
Coaching allows managers to slow down and recentre themselves. It provides a space to reflect, clarify their intentions and optimize their impact on performance in a demanding environment. A number of studies have shown that coaching has a lasting impact on improving work performance, time management, selfconfidence, communication, and interpersonal relationships.
In September 2024, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) published some interesting statistics*:
- A report from management consulting and investment banking firm FMI found that 87% of survey respondents agreed that executive coaching has a high return on investment (ROI).
- There is a strong correlation between coaching and increased employee engagement: 72% of respondents in 2023 ICF HCI “Defining New Coaching Cultures” report acknowledged this relationship.
- The same ICF report shows that employees at every level appreciate coaching, with high approval from both senior executives (78%) and employees (73%).
- A global survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the Association Resource Center reports an average ROI of seven times the cost of hiring a coach.
Let’s talk about it!
We are proud to have a team of over 40 qualified coaches in Canada. Trained to the highest ICF standards and boasting a wide range of experience, they draw on their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to meet the needs of individuals, teams, and organizations.
Whether you’re looking for one-on-one, group or theme-based coaching, our various programs can help you bring a human touch to performance management.
Sources
Kruse, K. “Forget VUCA. The World Is BANI Now.” Forbes, February 3, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2025/02/03/forget-vuca-bani-is-the-new-framework-world/
Pratt, M. “Coaching Statistics: The ROI of Coaching in 2024.” International Coaching Federation, September 3, 2024. https://coachingfederation.org/blog/coaching-statistics-the-roi-of-coaching-in-2024/
