Executive Coaching
What is executive coaching?
Executive coaching is a collaborative process with an ongoing short- to mid-term relationship between the client and the coach. The purpose of the coaching relationship is to support the client to achieve their goals by increasing self-awareness, unlocking potential and accelerating their achievements through challenging, motivating and holding clients accountable for their own development and progress towards achieving their goals.
Over the last decade or so executive coaching has become the preferred leadership development tool for senior executives. Sessions are personalised and are as unique as the individuals themselves. No two coaching experiences will ever be the same because every client will have different goals and ambitions and different approaches to achieving them. In comparison with other learning and development solutions executive coaching is more effective and time efficient as it is individually tailored to the client’s needs and entirely outcome focused.
Executive coaching involves the development of the individual within an organisational context and assists in building strong leadership styles, skills, focus, confidence and management capability. It is also helpful in managing conflict, crisis or stress, preparing for role changes and supporting individuals to achieve their full potential.
Coaching is a non-therapeutic conversation intended for senior executives and high potential clients who wish to enhance their work performance, build confidence and improve their work or personal situation. In a nutshell the coach supports the client in establishing new behaviours.
It’s important to recognise that coaching is not an off-the-shelf or general training course, therapy, counselling, consulting nor life coaching.
Who is executive coaching for?
Executive coaching is specifically for those in senior management roles who hold positions of critical decision-making and have the highest levels of responsibility within their organisation to help them improve performance and measurable personal and organisational outcomes. Generally those engaging in executive coaching are Chief Executives, Chief Operating Officers and other C-suite roles, Managing Directors, Executive Directors, Chairs, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and those stepping up into such roles.
As well as providing services to board-level executives and directors, executive coaches also work with newly appointed senior managers, executives being prepared for future high-level roles, high-potential individuals and those who are leading organisations through times of change and transition.
What are the benefits of executive coaching?
In general executive coaching can bring about the following benefits:
- Adaptability
- Better work-life balance
- Effective, ethical, result-driven leadership
- Improved relationships with others
- Improved time management and organisation
- Increased resilience
- Increased self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- More empathy towards others
- Motivation and inspiration
- Openness to different ways of thinking
- Reduced stress
- and many more
What to expect from executive coaching.
Before the first session
The first step is to have a short ‘getting to know you’ session with the client. This is to learn a about the client, what matters they’d like to discuss and develop and what outcomes they’d like to achieve. During this initial session the coach will ascertain whether they’re the right coach for the client or whether they think the client would be better served by another coach.
Online sessions
The session will begin by reflecting on the outcomes of the previous session and agreeing on which matters to delve into during each session. The coach may use some creative resources or questions to encourage thinking outside the box and/or they may use some tried and tested models and methodologies to get to the root of a matter. Either way a client can expect to do a lot of talking and thinking during the sessions. The coach may also ask the client to take some time to reflect between each session and do some homework in preparation for the next session.
To get the best out of each session the client will need to be fully present with emails and phones switched off so as to reduce potential distractions as far as possible.
Face-to-face sessions
The session will begin by reflecting on the outcomes of the previous session and agreeing on which matters to delve into during each session. The coach may use some creative resources or questions to encourage thinking outside the box and/or they may use some tried and tested models and methodologies to get to the root of a matter. Either way a client can expect to do a lot of talking and thinking during the sessions. The coach may also ask the client to take some time to reflect between each session and do some homework in preparation for the next session.
Research shows that being outside can balance our cognitive mindset, change the way we think, enhance our wellbeing by lowering anxiety, stress and depression and can regulate emotion. So if the client agrees (and the weather is favourable!) the coach may suggest a ‘walk and talk’ session – also known as Eco Coaching.*^
To get the best out of each session the client will need to be fully present with emails and phones switched off so as to reduce potential distractions as far as possible.
* The executive coach will not be taking notes during walk and talk sessions but reflections will be written after the session has ended.
^ The executive coach is not liable for any accidents or injuries that take place during walk and talk sessions.
Get in touch today to discuss executive coaching.
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