Coaching in 2025: accessible, flexible and preventive

Coaching programs are often cumbersome, bureaucratic and focused on recovery, not prevention. That has to change. At Buddy, we want everyone to have access to a coach. We do this by making coaching accessible, flexible and preventive.

Initiating a coaching process is a hell of a job in most organizations. First there is an intake interview. This results in a proposal that must be approved. Which causes a loss of momentum and that the sense of urgency can fade into the background. This is usually followed by three to nine sessions, followed by a final discussion.

But not everyone benefits from such a long process. For some, one conversation with an expert is enough to be able to move forward again.

In a world where developments are fast, the workload is high and human needs are so different, this one-size-fits-all approach is outdated. Something else is needed. A looser approach, so that tailor-made and on-demand coaching can become the most normal thing in the world.

The familiar approach doesn’t work in the new world

The labour market is under pressure in many sectors. At the same time, the rise of artificial intelligence and shifting power relations on the world stage are creating an uncertain future. This increases the feeling of stress and thus the risk of burnout. It also makes it more important to develop yourself and think about your career. And to create a good work-life balance.

That is precisely why it would be good for everyone to have a sounding board at his or her disposal. Someone who thinks along with you at set times. Someone you can vent to. It will check how you are doing, help you to remove blockages and (re)discover what gives you energy. But also someone with whom you can spar about how to tackle a customer question, how to deal with a difficult colleague or the next step in your career.

“The familiar approach does not work in the new world.”

On-demand coaching is accessible, flexible and preventive

People need lighter, faster and more accessible. A coach on demand, who can call in when it suits you. And not only when it is too late, but just before that. Coaching is much more effective when you use it, not to recover from a burnout, but preventively: to develop yourself.

Everyone in the Netherlands should have quick and easy access to a professional coach. And for that, coaching must be accessible, flexible and preventive:

Accessible – The easier it is to call in a coach, the better. At the same time, turn the intake interview into the click interview. And if it clicks: make it the first session right away. By not being too difficult about it, it becomes easier to call in a coach.

Flexible – Make sure people are not tied to a coach. Do you initially think you need five conversations, but after three conversations everything has been discussed? Also good. A conversation once a month or every six months? Make sure it’s all possible. And make sure the coachee is in charge.

Preventive – Prevention is better than sitting at home. Even if nothing is (or seems) wrong, it is good to take a step back regularly. And to see how you are doing and whether you have any (hidden) development wishes.

More happiness at work for everyone

The Dutch work an average of about 32 hours a week. That may be a bit less than before and lower than the European average, but still a substantial part of daily life. Moreover, because there is so much to do at the moment, those 32 hours are pretty well filled. The workload is high.

That is precisely why it is very important to really feel at home and experience happiness at work. To do this, we look at four pillars: you want to experience a certain degree of autonomy, feel connected to the organization you work for, be good at what you do and contribute to something meaningful. As one of our coaches says: ‘Life is simply too short to get stuck in stress, frustration or anger.’ If you are in the right place and comfortable in your own skin, you function better and you are better able to advise and assist colleagues.

By making coaching accessible and self-evident, we help increase everyone’s happiness at work. This ensures mentally healthy organizations that can be flexible and resilient in a constantly changing world.

Would you rather have a direct conversation about how you can structurally strengthen happiness at work within your organization? Feel free to pull us by the sleeve. We are happy to think along with you.