Top 3 common challenges people face at work

And how to overcome them with coaching.

Hello! ???? This is a new edition of Elatra's digest, and today we will delve into the topic of common work challenges that resonate with many professionals.

Every day, employees face a variety of challenges at work that can impact their productivity and job satisfaction. This is particularly true in the tech industry, where working remotely is the norm.

We’ve analyzed the most frequent challenges that our platform users say they encounter in their current work setups. Let’s explore the top three of them and review the perspectives of professional coaches on these issues.

Challenge #1. Keeping focus and dealing with distractions

With the rise of remote work and the increasing use of digital communication tools, employees are more?distracted than ever. A study by Udemy found that 70% of workers admit to feeling distracted at work. Among them, 16% cite constant interruptions from co-workers, and 20% mention digital distractions like social media.

These distractions can severely reduce productivity, leading to missed deadlines and lower work quality. Persistent distraction can also increase stress levels and decrease job satisfaction.

??? Expert view on How Coaching Can Help:

“Coaching can empower employees to develop strategies for better focus and dealing with distraction, building the confidence and motivation to put them into practice. This includes time management techniques, setting boundaries, and creating a focused work environment.

For instance, a coach could help you establish clear boundaries around how and when you communicate as a team. For example, consider using delayed messaging outside of working hours, setting expectations for response times, or specifying preferred communication channels for different types of messages. A coach assists you in building habits of self-care by engaging in regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and recharging breaks during the workday to better manage stress and create space for better focus.

This way, coaches foster accountability and help individuals build habits that support sustained concentration. Employers can further support these practices by promoting a culture that values deep work, reduces unnecessary meetings, and respects after-hours communication.”

Challenge #2. Effectively collaborating and communicate with co-workers

Effective communication and collaboration are vital in any workplace, yet they remain significant challenges. According to a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, poor communication led to increased stress (52%), delay or derail projects (44%), and lower employee morale (31%).

These issues can hinder progress towards the goals and create a toxic work environment. It is essential to address them to build a collaborative and productive workplace.

?? Expert view on How Coaching Can Help:

“Overcoming communication and collaboration challenges is crucial for maintaining a productive and positive work environment. In my experience as a coach, I've seen how targeted coaching sessions can transform team dynamics. By focusing on developing skills like active listening and clear, concise communication, employees can better understand each other and work together more efficiently.

From a psychological standpoint, effective communication is deeply tied to emotional intelligence, which encompasses skills like empathy, self-regulation, and social skills. Coaching can focus on enhancing these aspects through techniques such as active listening, self- awareness and empathy-building.

Research shows that teams with high emotional intelligence are 20% more effective, as they can manage conflicts and understand each other's perspectives better. Success in fostering collaboration often hinges on creating a psychologically safe environment where team members feel secure to express their ideas and concerns, thereby boosting their engagement and teamwork.”

Challenge #3. Getting recognition and visibility

Many employees feel that their hard work goes unnoticed. A Gallup poll found that only one in three workers received praise or recognition for their work in the past seven days. This lack of recognition can be incredibly demotivating. The issue is especially pronounced in remote work environments, where the physical distance can make it harder for efforts to be seen and acknowledged.

When employees? feel undervalued, they may become disengaged leading to decreased productivity and higher turnover. Ensuring they feel recognized is key to maintaining motivation and loyalty.

??? Expert view on How Coaching Can Help:

“As a practiсing executive coach, I observe how coaching transforms the work environment by helping leaders create an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported.

Primarily, this is achieved through fostering interaction between leaders and their teams, helping leaders understand the impact of their behavior on the collective, balancing praise and constructive criticism, and developing a system of recognition within the team. Increasing leaders' awareness and empathy leads to a deeper understanding of employees' needs and helps to build an atmosphere of trust, safety, and motivation, where employees and entire teams can achieve their best results.

Coaching also helps employees find harmony between their inner critic and inner fan, teaching them to recognize and appreciate their achievements, thereby reducing dependence on external validation. This strengthens their confidence in their own worth and builds resilience to external conditions. Thus, coaching, working on both an individual and team level, helps improve team relationships and overall efficiency, creating conditions for greater engagement and readiness to achieve outstanding results.”

At Elatra, we specialize in helping our clients overcome these and many other workplace challenges. Our recent coaching program for a global tech company yielded some exciting results:

• 98% of participants made progress towards their goals and saw improvements in their challenges.
• Key areas of progress included maintaining engagement and connection among remote employees, as well as addressing feelings of disconnection and lack of support.

• An impressive 95% of respondents found coaching to be a relevant tool for their personal and professional development, indicating a strong alignment with their needs and expectations.
• 88% of employees reported increased motivation, 77% saw improved productivity, 94% noticed better performance due to coaching.

???? Let’s explore how Elatra’s tailored coaching solutions can make a difference for you and your team. Please feel free to schedule a call with us, and let’s start this journey together!

By the way, have you encountered any of the challenges outlined above? If so, how did you address them??Please, share your personal experience in the comments! We would be happy to discuss.