EXECUTIVE COACHING
EXECUTIVE COACHING What is executive coaching? Executive or business coaching can be a power part of Human Resources functions or services. It is a senior training device, designed to help facilitate professional and personal development. It can aid personal growth, improve performance and promote contentment in the workplace. It is usually aimed at helping a client reach and maintain a specific professional goal. It also helps the candidate develop or have a clearer idea of their value system, resilience and leadership capabilities. In effect, it can create stronger leadership in a company no matter the size of the company. Executive coaching is often an intensive process of self-discovery, posing powerful questions or encouraging thought experiments, as well as asking the candidate to take part in experiential learning and allowing them to develop in a way that allows them to take new approaches in their work and personal lives. Who is the typical executive coaching candidate? Executives at mid and senior management level Mangers of others, those in positions of leadership CEOs, CFO, COOs etc. Most are aged between 40 and 50 years of age How long does executive coaching last? It can last between six months and one year, but can be tailored to suit the candidate or company s needs.
Why do people choose executive coaching? For several reasons many feel stuck or unmotivated in their current position, lacking direction or focus. Some want to find a way to move forward in the organisation, or even develop strategies that will move the organisation forward. Others are looking for mentorship, wanting to change or improve something within themselves, believing this will cascade into the greater organisation. Some are looking to develop their own signature brand. Many want to become more resilient in their personal and professional lives. In the end, it is about a process that will allow individuals to grow as people, so that their companies grow with them. Why is executive coaching more effective than other training? Executive coaching focuses on a specific way of non-traditional learning. The more an individual is involved in identifying problems, in working out and applying solutions for them and in reviewing the results, the more complete and impactful the coaching becomes. This type of self-improvement and experiential method tends to bring about the learning with a deeper understanding than learning that is merely taught. What kind of goals do candidates want to achieve? Career transition Corporate transformation Better interpersonal and professional communication Performance management skills Organisation performance Strategic and creative thinking Team building Instilling values and missions in staff Dealing with conflict
Who gives executive coaching? A reputable training solutions provider, with the necessary experience and/or qualifications, should facilitate it. Experienced HR practioners and consultants, as well as those with a BA in Communications can facilitate it. Executive coaching can also be facilitated by an industrial psychologist, especially one who specialises in organisational and corporate behaviour. What are the most significant benefits of executive coaching? Improved working relations Stronger team work and relationship with peers Greater job satisfaction Less conflict in the workplace Better relationship with clients and stakeholders Bolstered brand and organisational values Will executive coaching make a company more profitable? Yes. The best benefit of executive coaching is that it improves your bottom line. Strong leadership motivates managers, inspires staff members and goes a long way to reassure investors and shareholders. It also presents a strong and charismatic message to trade and general media. More than a hundred American companies reported a 22% jump in profitability because of executive coaching in a recent research survey. Within the same research pool, companies found that executive coaching provided an average ROI of almost six times the cost of the coaching.
What are some other examples of executive coaching? There are many examples of executive or business coaching. It can help leaders with poor public speaking or negative media images, developing empathetic and charismatic leadership images. Some may even need help if English is not their first language, and need to overcome cultural or racial stereotypes. Sometimes business people move from an internal role to a more external role, and need coaching with a new role as a public representative of a brand or company. For example, a senior engineer moving from a technical to a training role may need coaching in becoming more creative and relatable to a younger team. In the same way, a financial officer may be required to take on a CEO role: he or she needs extra resources to address development and performance gaps, in order to assume the mantle of a strategic leader. What qualities should an executive coach possess in the process? Willingness to share skills, knowledge and expertise Positive attitude, shows initiative Ethical behaviour, solid reputation, excellent testimonials Personal investment in the coaching process Provides guidance and constructive feedback Sets and meets his or her own personal and professional goals Values the feedback of the candidate and the company Motivates others by being a great role model