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Lifestyle coaching can be an incredible resource for an organization's workforce, but only if it's done in the right way.

Employer-provided health and wellness benefits can feel like you're throwing an elaborate party, but as only a few guests trickle in, you wonder if most of the invites got lost in the mail. This can happen across a swath of options: the health events with empty chairs, the pricey incentives for screening or goal-setting that go unused.

That can happen with coaching, too. Maybe your organization made lifestyle coaching available and yet, again, engagement is dismal. Are employees really that disinterested in improving their physical and mental health? Far from it. The fact is that study after study emphasizes that employees put resources like these at the top of their priority list, to the point that they'll leave an employer if they don't feel like there are enough wellness options. That means the disconnect isn't coming from the workforce — it's in the lackluster coaching they're being offered.

Recognizing this gap with a coaching program that supports employees in a way that bolsters their health in meaningful and powerful ways is key.

Here are three things to look for in a lifestyle coaching provider:

1. Passionate coaches who guide and connect

Here's a tough reality when it comes to choosing coaches: The field is completely unregulated, meaning anyone can call themselves a "coach" and start dispensing advice. If you're an employer, that's a problem. How do you verify every coach's educational background and experience? The simple solution is to rely on a provider that not only provides that assurance, but also encourages coaches to keep expanding their education on health topics.

Look for coaches who are providing insights that are science-based, and in line with an employer's compliance standards, while also being passionate about helping others. At HealthFitness, we’re regularly monitoring our coaches to ensure that they're staying within the realm of their experience and core competencies, while supporting them in their efforts to broaden their knowledge.

The intangible component of successful coaching providers is their coaches’ ability to connect with participants. From finance, technology, and pharmaceutical companies to the automotive and power industries, lifestyle coaches must be able to relate to all types of employees in order to provide meaningful guidance. Ask for real participant feedback; look for continuity over time. What are participants saying?

Connecting with participants also means deeper engagement with all employer benefits. HealthFitness coaches are experts at referrals—in fact, we average 1.9 referrals per participant—such as referrals to a medical provider, Employee Assistance Program or other resources and benefits, depending on what’s relevant. That creates a situation where an employer can maximize the benefits they've already paid to have on hand, while employees have a breadth of options that can make them healthier — and more productive as a result.

2. Advice that's tailored to individuals

There are certain key insights that work for everyone: Drink more water, eat healthy foods, get more physical activity, manage existing health conditions. But what do those mean on an individual level, rather than for an entire workforce? Lifestyle coaching is most effective when a participant feels heard and seen, when their goals are focused and specific, and that's simply not possible with a one-size-fits-most solution.

Coaching can be for everyone, which is why it's a top resource for an employer to offer, but the advice and programs need to be in line with what each employee wants. For example, a young employee looking to improve work/life balance with a toddler at home will have different health needs than an employee who's coming up on retirement and wants to maintain mobility and strength past that transition point.

Not only will these two employees have different health concerns, but they'll be in different places emotionally as well. That's why lifestyle coaching needs to incorporate a mental health aspect that can also be tailored to individual need.

The fact is that health is a vehicle, not a destination, and HealthFitness coaches focus on what that journey includes. HealthFitness is launching a Purposeful Life digital coaching program so participants can build a life that matters to them. Some employees want to find meaning and feel positively engaged with their health efforts, and they're looking for an accountability partner in their coach. Our lifestyle coaches provide that in a direct way that increases their motivation.

3. Coaching that makes an impact

Living a healthy lifestyle and changing habits is a process. With the support of a coach, many individuals can overcome significant challenges to improve their health and wellbeing.

How does a lifestyle coaching provider show impact? At HealthFitness, we look at several key metrics:

Engagement. Across our clients, 94% of individuals who enroll in coaching engage in it. This means they’ve at minimum, scheduled a coaching call or started a digital coaching program. Eighty percent of enrollees complete at least one coaching call or digital coaching session and the average calls completed in this group is 2.9, even though reward points are only given for two calls.

Behavior change and health improvements. This is what it’s all about. Based on Time 1/Time 2 health assessment results for over 8,600 coaching participants, when participants worked with a coach on the topic area highlighted, this is what they achieved through our program:

• 88% improved in at least one nutrition area
• 42% increased their average minutes of physical activity per week
• 45% improved stress management
• 33% improved quality of sleep
• 40% improved their BMI with an average weight loss of 10.6 pounds, and 13% improved BMI enough to move into a lower risk category.

Overall satisfaction. With a 92% overall satisfaction rating, coaching participants are getting what they came for. Look for a coaching provider who can show you what they’ve learned from participant feedback – and ask what they’ve done to address concerns or gaps.

Bottom line, coaching can be an invaluable resource that makes employees feel like they're far from alone in navigating their health goals — but it has to be delivered in a way that's flexible, personalized, and makes an impact.

Connect with us to learn more about our lifestyle coaching program.