Despite the considerable efforts of HR departments to change the culture, and some significant inroads to a more flexible work environment, the billable hour model has the tendency to disincentivise efficiency and encourage a culture of being married to your work.
While different business models and increased fixed price agreements are being flirted with, negotiating the reality of clocking up the hours is an essential part of any successful career.
The use of executive coaching to enhance leadership, interpersonal skills and business strategy has proliferated in recent years. No longer is it a sign of trouble but rather a sign of the continual pursuit of improvement. In a recent blogpost, Marshall Goldsmith - recognized as one of the top ten Most-Influential Business Thinkers in the World - observed: “I have seen the perception of coaching shift over the last three decades: Instead of a punishment, it’s now a mark of prestige to have a coach. It means you’re probably going places in your career.”
