Case Study: Circl & Sika
How Sika Developed More Inclusive Leaders Through Coaching
About Sika
Industry: Specialty chemicals
Location: Global
Company size: 33,700+
Sika is a global company specialising in construction and industrial solutions. Through its partnership with Circl, Sika invested in developing coaching skills among its professionals, strengthening team culture and creating meaningful development opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Through Circl's Leader as Coach programme, Sika brought professionals and Future Leaders together in a shared learning experience, helping participants build confidence, strengthen relationships and develop a more inclusive approach to leadership.
The Challenge: Strengthening Coaching Skills and Team Culture
Sika wanted to develop leaders who could empower their teams, support employee wellbeing and foster a more inclusive working environment.
The key objectives were to:
Improve team culture, wellbeing and inclusivity
Develop coaching skills among leaders
Strengthen delegation, reflection and feedback in development conversations
Help leaders empower colleagues to find their own solutions
Connect with underrepresented young people and increase their interest in joining Sika
Sika needed a practical learning experience that would help participants apply coaching techniques in everyday workplace conversations, while creating opportunities for mutual learning between professionals and Future Leaders.
“Enter into the program for the right reasons to support future leaders with their careers, kicking off their careers, and you'll get so much more from it.”
Matt Nickels, Head of Human Resources at Sika
The Solution
A Practical, Coaching-Led Learning Experience
Programme participants:
15 Sika professionals in leadership positions
Future leader participants: 17 FL's
Training hours: 20 per person
Circl delivered its Leader as Coach programme to Sika's first cohort, combining structured learning with real-world coaching practice.
The programme included:
15 Sika professionals and 17 Future Leaders graduating from the programme
464 hours of coaching delivered across the cohort
Six facilitated sessions combining coaching theory, discussion and practical exercises
1-2-1 coaching partnerships between Sika professionals and Future Leaders from underrepresented backgrounds
Development of core coaching skills, including active listening, effective questioning, building trust, providing feedback and setting goals
Opportunities for participants to coach and be coached, creating a two-way learning experience
By practising coaching conversations and reflecting on their experiences, participants could apply their learning directly to workplace relationships, team development and personal growth.
The Outcomes
“It just allowed our professionals to see what were the challenges and the barriers that the future leaders were facing, how they could adapt their management skills.”
Bella Wilson, HR Apprentice at Sika
The Impact
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Sika professionals developed a more inclusive and empowering approach to leadership, strengthening team culture and adapting how they support junior colleagues.
94% reported growing as inclusive leaders.
90% saw a positive impact on team or company culture.
100% adapted their approach to working with junior or underrepresented colleagues.
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Participants applied coaching techniques in everyday conversations, improving how they listen, give feedback and empower colleagues.
90% said the programme helped heighten their engagement in their role.
78% reported improved workplace performance.
80% reported stronger relationships with peers.
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Future Leaders built confidence and professional skills while exploring career opportunities at Sika.
90% reported increased confidence.
100% said the programme supported their professional development.
80% reported increased interest in joining Sika.
Conclusion
By combining practical coaching development with meaningful partnerships between professionals and Future Leaders, the programme supported growth on both sides. Sika professionals gained skills they could apply in everyday leadership, while Future Leaders developed confidence, strengthened relationships and gained valuable insight into professional opportunities.
Discover how Circl can help your leaders build inclusive teams here.
Key stats
9.3/10 overall programme rating from Sika professionals.
93% Participant objectives met or exceeded
90% of participants would recommend Circl Programme