How to Measure the Success of Social Impact Coaching Programs

Measuring success in social impact coaching isn’t as simple as tracking your steps on a Fitbit or counting LinkedIn likes. That’s because it’s not about numbers, it’s about real change. Transformation.

And there it is- that one word. Transformation. The one that makes so many of us cringe (myself included). What does it even mean? Do we all need it? What if we don’t even want it? Can we just call it something else?

Fine, let’s call it Clarity. Alignment. Growth.

It’s that moment when someone stops second-guessing and finally feels at peace- like they’re not constantly chasing the next role, promotion, pay bump, or external validation to prove their worth. Or when a burned-out leader rediscovers their spark and realigns their work with what matters to them.

That’s what coaching is about. Not buzzwords. Not vague promises of transformation. Just a real, tangible change that actually feels good. At its core, social impact coaching is not just about career moves, it is about mindset shifts. It is the difference between feeling stuck in a job that drains you and stepping into work that fuels you. It is about replacing doubt with clarity, fear with action, and hesitation with momentum.

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."– Amelia Earhart

And while these pivots and re-alignments might not fit neatly into a spreadsheet, their ripple effects are undeniable. It can yield stronger leadership, greater impact, and a deeper sense of alignment with one’s purpose. The challenge? Finding the right ways to capture and celebrate these wins, both big and small.

But here is the deal, while success in coaching might feel intangible at times, that does not really mean it cannot be measured. You could be a coach looking to refine your approach or someone considering investing in a social impact coaching program, knowing how to track progress is crucial. So, let us break it down into meaningful, measurable components.

So What Are We Even Measuring?

What does success mean to you?

Before we start throwing around metrics, let us clarify what success actually looks like in a social impact coaching program. Because success is not ‘one-size-fits-all’.

For some, it is about transitioning into a career that is valuable to them. For others, it could be about overcoming imposter syndrome or strengthening leadership skills in the social impact space. The key is to define success in a way that is meaningful for the individual being coached.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”- Maya Angelou’s famous quote is essentially breaking down your ‘why’, and living in alignment with your values, which is a big part of my coaching practice. 

Some common indicators of success:

●       Career transitions: Did you move into a more fulfilling, purpose-driven role?

●       Confidence and self-efficacy: Do you feel more empowered to take action?

●       Leadership development: Have you gained skills to lead impact-driven teams effectively?

●       Emotional intelligence growth: Are you better at navigating challenges and working collaboratively?

●       Social return on investment (SROI): Is your work leading to measurable positive change in your community or organization?

Now that we know what to look for, let us look at how to measure these changes.

Tracking Behavioral Changes Over Time

It is established by now that social impact coaching does not count on quick fixes. One of the best ways to measure success is by observing behavioural shifts over time.

Baseline Assessments

Before coaching begins, it is important to start with a baseline. This can be done through self-assessments, peer feedback, or structured questionnaires. For instance:

●       What are you good at? What do you love to do? What will someone pay you to do? What does the world need? This is your Ikigai!

●       How confident are you in your leadership abilities? How effectively do you lead?

●       How clear are you on their career objectives? What is your dream job? What do you want your life to look like overall? Because we are more than our jobs.

Progress Check-ins

Throughout the coaching journey, check-ins help track shifts in behaviour and mindset. Are you taking more initiative? Are you communicating their ideas more clearly? Keeping a coaching journal or using tools like 360-degree feedback can help identify growth over time.

The Post-Coaching Shift

The real magic happens after the coaching sessions end. Six months down the line, are you still applying what you have learned? Are you facing challenges with greater resilience? These long-term shifts indicate a coaching program that truly worked.

Measuring Emotional Intelligence (EI) Growth

Emotional intelligence is one of the strongest predictors of success in impact-driven careers. A great social impact coaching program helps individuals enhance their self-awareness, empathy, and ability to manage stress.

How Do You Measure EI?

There are several ways to track emotional intelligence improvements.

●       Self-Assessment Surveys: Tools like the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal provide quantitative insights.

●       Peer Reviews: Feedback from colleagues can reveal noticeable shifts in emotional awareness and relationship management.

●       Real-World Application: Observing how individuals handle stressful situations, teamwork, and leadership roles can indicate growth.

If a coachee moves from avoiding difficult conversations to addressing challenges head-on, that’s a win.

Stakeholder Feedback- The Ripple Effect

It has been established that in social impact careers, success is not just about the individual but the communities and organizations they serve. If someone becomes a more effective leader, their team will feel it. If they transition into a role where they create positive change, their stakeholders will benefit.

Ways to Collect Stakeholder Feedback

●       Surveys & Interviews: Ask colleagues, employees, or community members about noticeable changes in leadership and collaboration.

●       Retention & Engagement Metrics: A leader who has undergone impactful coaching will likely create a more engaged and committed team.

●       Case Studies: Documenting real-world examples of leadership transformation helps track the broader impact.

Talking of Numbers- Social Return on Investment (SROI)

Okay, I hear you, some of this sounds a little abstract. Let us look at some hard data.

This is where Social Return on Investment (SROI) comes in. This metric quantifies the social impact of coaching by comparing the resources invested in coaching to the positive change it generates.

How to Calculate SROI

●       Identify the Inputs: Time, money, and resources spent on coaching.

●       Track the Outcomes: Career shifts, increased leadership effectiveness, community impact.

●       Assign a Monetary Value: This can be tricky, but organizations use benchmarks like increased team productivity or community engagement growth to quantify value.

●       Calculate the Ratio: If for every $1 invested in coaching, $5 worth of social impact is generated, that’s a strong SROI.

This method is particularly useful for organizations investing in coaching programs for their leadership teams.

The Real Test

At the end of the day, the true measure of success is not just what happens during a coaching program, it is what happens after.

●       Are you still applying what you learned a year later?

●       Are you continuously growing in your social impact career?

●       Has your influence led to lasting organizational or community change?

If the answer is yes, then the coaching program was a success.

Final Thoughts: Insight to Action

Measuring the success of social impact coaching programs is not about checking boxes, it is about ensuring real, sustainable growth, alignment, and joy. We can turn the abstract into something tangible by tracking behavioural shifts, emotional intelligence, stakeholder feedback, and the broader social return on investment. This is how we turn personal growth into collective impact.

So, if you are considering social impact coaching, whether as a participant or a coach, remember this- the impact goes beyond personal growth.

Because at the end of the day, this is what social impact is all about.

Let me help you find your true potential. Through individual coaching or group coaching, we will dive into where you are and where you want to be. Schedule a free 30-minute call today. We can do this together.