| Executive Coaching |
An effective method for developing
leaders is to provide them with coaching from someone outside
the organization. We have found that in the coaching relationship,
the teaching/learning can be more focused and practical than
similar content in a seminar setting. Effective coaching complements
and supports the managerial relationship. We can have a high
level of candor and confrontation, and develop strategies for
very specific management situations. Because these are confidential
conversations, the degree of openness is often greater than
in the discussions with their boss.
Coaching is not counseling. The focus is on work-related challenges
and behaviors. Typical issues include: interpersonal or leadership
style, strategies for specific relationships and situations,
conflict resolution, and managing others. Most coaching engagements
include from three to ten meetings. The periodic meetings enable
the individual to do "homework" related to the development
issues, often involving changing a specific behavior and monitoring
the results.
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Identification of issues
and concerns
(usually through discussion with the individual's manager) |
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Meeting
with the individual
• talk about learning/development needs
and interests
• establish initial plan
• determine whether there is a good fit |
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Decision to proceed |
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Periodic coaching sessions
• focus on topics in the development plan
• assignments between sessions
• updates to manager |
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Final meeting of contract
• review progress
• decide what/how to report to manager
• determine if more work is necessary
• evaluate process |
One of the challenges
of coaching is to produce a clear deliverable. The typical issues,
such as style, approach, relationships, do not lend themselves
to easy measurement and few have a clear terminus ("Now
my style is right for every situation."). We are also working
on behavior that is anchored in people's personality, and so
is not readily and dramatically changed. Still, progress can
be made and observed.
We have seen executives make significant changes that made a
difference in their performance and their relationships with
others. |
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| For more information: |
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Sample
Coaching Agreement |
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