Comparisons between the world of sport and business are commonplace. But while the coolest sportsman in the world espouses the virtues of his coach, why does coaching still meet such resistance in the professional arena?

I still feel disappointed by the level of embarrassment that often accompanies having a professional coach. To some extent, this comes from the assumption that employing support may be a sign of weakness, or a broader suspicion of what professional coaches actually do.

Although the David Brent parodies of professional development seem to hold less sway as coaches have raised their game, a negative stigma still seems to remain about the role of the professional coach. While for some it would never be their choice, for others it can be transformative.