A Coaching Perspective on the CIPD Festival of Work: A Missed Opportunity?

Last week, Rachel and I had the opportunity to attend the CIPD Festival of Work in London, a premier event for HR and learning and development professionals.

As someone who works in the world of coaching, I was excited to explore the latest trends and innovations in leadership development and support. However, as I navigated the exhibition halls and attended various sessions, I couldn't help but feel that coaching was somewhat overlooked.

 AI and Systems

The festival's focus on systems and AI products and services was undeniable. Exhibitors with big, bold stands were prominent, offering cutting-edge learning management systems and AI-powered talent acquisition tools. While these innovations are undoubtedly important, I was surprised to find that few exhibitors represented coaching services. When I inquired about coaching, many attendees expressed interest, but it seemed that few organisations were actively promoting coaching as a key component of their leadership development offerings.

Structured Learning Programmes above all…

Similarly, the workshop and discussion sessions in the Learning and Development Stage seemed to prioritise structured learning programmes over other forms of leadership support and development. I know these programmes can be vital for building foundational skills and knowledge. However, I was disappointed to find that there was relatively little discussion about more personalised and nuanced approaches to leadership development, such as coaching and mentoring.

Flow

One keynote speaker, Tom Cheesewright, did explore the importance of making time for "Flow" – a concept developed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi that refers to the optimal state of engagement and productivity – and it’s impact on happiness at work. While this is undoubtedly a valuable topic, it didn't feel particularly groundbreaking or innovative – we’ve been talking about Flow with our clients for many years, as I’m sure others have.  I was left wondering if I had missed something more substantial.

Coaching Underrepresented

As someone who doesn't regularly attend events like the CIPD Festival of Work, I may not have been doing it justice. Perhaps my expectations were misplaced, and the festival is primarily geared towards HR professionals rather than learning and development (L&D) specialists. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but feel that coaching – an increasingly important aspect of leadership development – was underrepresented.

So, what does this mean for coaches like us? Should we be concerned that our profession is being overlooked in favour of more technologically-driven solutions? Not necessarily. While systems and AI products can undoubtedly provide valuable support, they are not a replacement for human-centred approaches like coaching. In fact, many organisations are beginning to recognise the importance of coaching as a way to develop leaders who are adaptable, resilient, and emotionally intelligent.

Ultimately, my experience at the CIPD Festival of Work left me with more questions than answers. Was I just unlucky in my session choices, or is there a genuine lack of emphasis on coaching in the HR and L&D community?

If you attended the festival did you notice a similar lack of focus on coaching, or was I just missing out on some hidden gems? One thing is certain: as coaches, we must continue to advocate for the value of our profession and ensure that our voices are heard in the broader conversation about leadership development.