What is an Executive Coach?
…And why do I need one? People hire coaches for all kinds of reasons. They want to: The scope of coaching topics is as diverse as each client is unique, regardless of their goals. The one commonality among my clients is that they all want something to be different. For that to happen, you have to be willing to do things differently. While the skills you possess served you really well to this point, they may not be the same skills you need now to achieve your big, hairy, audacious goals. So, you’ll give me advice on what to do? Um, no. That’s consulting. What does an executive coach actually do? OK, a formal definition for you is: Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes and managing personal change. Other service professions, like consulting and psychotherapy, are based on the wisdom and expertise of the professional. In coaching, you – the client – are the expert. Your coach’s role is to ask powerful questions, act as a sounding board, provide objective assessment and observations, listen fully and actively, challenge your blind spots, and foster shifts in thinking that reveal fresh perspectives. Source: International Coaching Federation Think of me as your personal confidante, cheerleader, champion, and occasional ass-kicker. Coaching is a bit like a road trip across the country. There are lots of routes to get you from one coast to the other. We’ll start by looking at your goals and where you want to go, then we’ll map out a personalized route to get you there. I’ll take you through a structured process and offer tools grounded in neuroscience to help you figure out what to pack for your trip – the values, skills, mindsets, and behaviors that will help you to be successful – as well as the items there’s no longer room for in the suitcase. The trip includes pit stops for idea generating, data gathering, synthesis, and experimentation. Then one day you pause and realize you are further along in your journey than you realized. Hmm? sounds a little -woo woo- to me? Coaching can seem like a murky endeavor if you’ve never experienced it before. Anyone I’ve coached will tell you they have come out of the experience with more clarity and confidence, new skills, and a new mindset. And many report that the changes they make at work also create massive shifts at home. Still not sure? Think about your favorite author, athlete, musician, opera singer, or other elite performer in their field. They didn’t achieve success by sitting at home alone thinking their way to higher performance. Somewhere along the way, they had a coach guiding and supporting them, keeping them focused on their goals, and cheering them on. OK, I’m sold. Now what? Great! Use this link to schedule time for us to chat about your goals and see if we’re a good fit for each other.
How to Hire an Executive Coach
So, you’re thinking about hiring a coach! Before you Venmo anyone, make sure it’s a good match. First off, congratulations on investing in yourself! Even if your organization is paying for your coaching, the process is an investment of your precious time, focus, and energy. It’s not a “check the box” activity. And it will be the best gift you ever give yourself. Pinky swear. How do I find the right coach? I looked online and my search turned up 5,694,322 coaches in my area. Yes, there are a lot of us out there! You definitely want to do your due diligence before hiring someone. If you hire the wrong person, you may not achieve the results you want or enjoy the process, and you may start to resent the coach. Not the best investment of your hard-earned money. Hiring a coach doesn’t need to be complicated. I’ve hired many coaches and I am regularly hired by others, so I have some insight into what makes for a good hiring process. Here’s a suggested approach: OK, I’ve got my interviews lined up. Now what? Be prepared with questions and ask everyone the same questions. This may be obvious, but it will help you to compare coaches and make an informed decision. Not sure what to ask? Here are some suggestions: How do I know if the coach is a good fit? Deciding to engage in a coaching relationship is a two-way street. You want to determine that the coach is going to meet your needs, and likewise, the coach wants to ensure that you’re a good fit for them. Because you’ll be working so closely, it’s important to you know what’s important to you (see above!) and feel some type of connection. (This is why the introductory meeting is often referred to as a “chem check”, or “chemistry check”) Not feeling the “love connection” after your chem check? Probably not the right coach for you. How do you know if I’m a good fit for you? I have my own litmus test for deciding if a client is right for me. We’re a good fit if: If the answer to these questions is yes, we’re a go on my end! We’re not a good fit if: Ok, now what? If you’ve done your research and the “we’re a good fit” list above sounds like you, let’s do a chem check! Click here to jump on my calendar.