Liz Hall reports from the CIPD Coaching at Work conference in London

Coaching is helping leaders at a Scottish economic development agency to become more creative in their use of resources.

Susan Myles, director of HR and facilities management for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, told delegates that coaching was helping its geographically dispersed leaders to work more imaginatively and share their knowledge.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise covers an area incorporating more than half of Scotland. Historically, staff have worked in silos, keeping knowledge to themselves. The strong public-sector culture has tended to stamp out creativity and see employees abdicate responsibility, said Myles.

The one-year "Achieve" leadership programme aims to raise leaders' self awareness and encourage them to take more responsibility for their actions.

"Our leaders are now looking at supporting people in different ways," Myles said.