 Why do Executives Hire A Coach?, by Linda
Hall
Executives hire a coach to:
- Help define and focus on long-term strategy. Some
new manager/leaders are more comfortable with their operational ability than
their strategic thinking skills. An executive coach uses strategic thinking and
experience to help clients identify strategies and the specific business issues
that will make or break them.
- Help attain higher performance from their teams.
Getting greater alignment and performance from a team is an ongoing need
for most leaders. An executive coach draws on executive and consulting
experience in leadership development, organizational development and team
building to coach the leader to lead his or her team and to help diagnose
problems and suggest ideas that have helped in similar situations.
- Help solve immediate, sensitive personnel problems.
Most executives find it valuable to get advice and perspective on sensitive
issues from a confidential outsider with no other ties to the business who is
willing to ask tough questions.
- Accelerate "growing on the job" through a cycle of
weekly action learning. A weekly coaching session can double the rate of
personal development by providing a structure to define new behaviors and test
them in the workplace.
- Improve the existing culture of the organization.
A company's culture may need to change from traditional, autocratic management
practices to a more decentralized, entrepreneurial, cooperative environment.
The Executive Coach and the executive co-create with a design for the optimum
operating culture for the organization and to devise a plan to integrate all
players into this enhanced culture.
- Increase the executive's ability to leverage
time. The leadership used by executives must continuously be upgraded in
order to stay ahead of a more demanding workplace. The Executive Coach works to
leverage the executive's effectiveness.
- Improve the way the executive comes across.
Character, communication skills and listening ability are more vital today
as clients and employees expect more political sophistication and subtlety from
executives. The coach gives feedback and helps the executive draw themselves
out to attract what they want from others.
- Discuss the executives ideas in the inkling stage.
Often the evolution of a company or its strategy is conceived in an open
discussion of ideas. Most executives don't take enough time for this type of
creativity nor do they have the right "listening partner." The Executive Coach
provides the environment in which the executive's inklings, ideas and concerns
are respected and expanded. An executive coach is a sounding board.
- Get an outside opinion from someone with no vested
interest in the outcome of the situation. Everyone the executive works
with, including their spouse, has a need to either maintain the status quo or
to make changes that benefit themselves. This self-interest is normal, but may
lead to a lack of objectivity. The Executive Coach is usually the only person
in an executive's Rolodex whose only priority is the executive's
interests.
- Expand upon, clarify and clearly language the
executive's vision. A simple, clear, articulated vision naturally creates
focus for those you lead, reducing the need for management and constant
motivation of others. The Executive Coach is an expert at language concepts,
goals and visions and assists the executive to properly language a vision for
the organization, project or for the executive him/herself.
- Have a secure, safe and confidential outlet to vent,
when necessary. Pent up frustrations, anger and disappointments impair good
judgment. Every executive needs a special person to complain to, vent and with
whom to talk things out.
- Point out what the executive can't, won't or doesn't
see. Smart business people understand that they have blind spots and most
invite to speak frankly and illuminate the executive's blind spots. However,
politics being what they are, most individuals aren't empowered to speak theirs
minds. The Executive Coach has an ethical obligation to point out what he/she
sees.
- Find a better way to reduce stress, increase
effectiveness and still have a great life. Leadership today requires a
clear-thinking individual who is in touch with all aspects of life, not just
running an organization or leading a project team. Executives are expected to
have a real life and set an example for others in the workplace. The Executive
Coach works with the executive to design a balanced and sustainable personal
and professional life.
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"She's amazingly flexible and has skills in so
many areas! Peer coaching was an opportunity to see a 180 degree picture of
myself."
-- Eileen G, HR Director, Professional services
firm. |
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