Executive coaching is the development of an organizational leader through an ongoing relationship between an executive coach and the client. It focuses on the client developing their vision, goals, and desires. Coaching uses a process of dialogue and questioning to build the client’s level of awareness and responsibility. This working relationship provides the client with purpose, structure, and feedback.
Common themes in executive coaching are developing key executive and managerial skills, enhancing teambuilding, leadership qualities, identifying and optimizing the use of key strengths, and building the competencies of emotional intelligence.
Common themes in executive coaching are developing key executive and managerial skills, enhancing teambuilding, leadership qualities, identifying and optimizing the use of key strengths, and building the competencies of emotional intelligence.
Once a client has selected their executive coach, coaching sessions will commence. Sessions will range from 60 to 90 minutes in length and occur in regular intervals every two weeks for up to six months. Coaching sessions can vary depending on the client’s goals, needs and vision.
Sessions can be comprised of assessments, evaluations, observations, and interviews. These can take place in person or by phone. For more detailed information on the coaching process, please contact us.
Sessions can be comprised of assessments, evaluations, observations, and interviews. These can take place in person or by phone. For more detailed information on the coaching process, please contact us.
A typical coaching process will have 12 coaching sessions over the course of 6 months. However, the number of coaching sessions and length of time can vary depending on the client’s needs.
Companies hire coaches to advance the leadership capabilities of their executives. Specifically coaches are used to enhance career development, retain high-potential employees, correct performance issues and support leadership transitions.
Coaching and therapy are viewed to be very similar, but in actuality have distinct differences. Therapy usually focuses on past traumatic experiences to understand the current situation. While coaching focuses on the present and is future oriented by creating goals and action plans.
There are four main aspects you should look for when choosing a coach.
- Experience – it is important for a coach to have many years of hands on experience working in large corporations.
- Education - the coach needs to be educated preferably a master’s degree or higher.
- ICF Certification – a coach needs to have training and credentials that prove they are qualified to be a coach.
- Connection – it is important to find a coach that you can connect with. Someone who will support you in achieving your goals while maintaining a professional working relationship.
The ICF recommends asking the following questions:
- What is your coaching experience - number of individuals coached, years of experience, types of coaching situations, etc.?
- What is your coach specific training - Enrolled in an ICF approved training program, other coach specific training, etc.?
- What is your coaching specialty or areas in which you most often work?
- What types of businesses do you work with most often? And, at what levels executive, upper management, middle management, etc.?
- What is your philosophy about coaching?
- What are some of your coaching success stories?
- Are you a member of ICF? Do you hold an ICF credential?
The mission of the ICF credentialing program is to:
- Protect and serve consumers of coaching services.
- Measure and certify competence of individuals.
- Inspire pursuit of continuous development.
Coaching success is determined through the goals that are developed and associated with the engagement. In addition, the coach, the client and their leader have several meetings throughout the coaching engagement on progress. During the last meeting, feedback is shared by the client to their leader on overall progress and next steps.
In addition to executive coaching, Fostering Executive Leadership offers a variety of services: which include leadership development, team building, mentoring, training, 360 evaluations, assessment feedback, and women’s initiatives.
