The insurer had identified 26 individuals with undeveloped potential and wanted to accelerate their development in specific ways: confidence, stakeholder management, presence and impact. The constraints were firm - the majority of sessions face to face with the cohort spread right across the US, every coach individually interviewed and approved by the client, high calibre throughout, strict budget guidelines respected, and no impact on productivity.

Rather than treat the constraints as obstacles, Acuity Coaching built the solution around them - identifying quality-assured coaches local to each of the client’s offices, enabling face-to-face coaching at much reduced rates. The result was a new intervention designed from first principles: the Coaching Sprint, named for its short duration, high impact and focus on specific objectives. A pre-questionnaire drove accurate coach shortlists, psychometrics were tailored to the participants, and measurement was built in from the outset - four 90-minute sessions over six months, evaluation running throughout, and every communication between coaches, coachees, line managers and HR managed end to end by Acuity Coaching.

Every feedback source pointed the same way: 85% of coachees overcame blockages that were getting in the way of progress, 82% were clearer on how far they could go and what they needed to do to get there, 75% had a clear understanding of their strengths, and 100% felt happier operating outside their comfort zone. The business saw the difference too - stronger communication, negotiation and influencing, confident networking with senior leadership, better delegation and sharper focus on priorities, with participants gaining promotions and stepping up into larger roles.