Consulting and coaching for executives
At times even the most experienced managers need to take a step back and judge the way they've been fulfilling
their professional, social and private roles
from a distance. Top managers are limited in openly discussing some of the challenges they face with people inside their organizations. This is why the the role of an outside consultant can be crucial.
An executive coach provides an unbiased perspective and his expertise can help in:
Business leaders usually have enough self-awareness to be able to acknowledge and define their personal growth needs at the very start of the coaching sessions. They could be related to their personal skills, their leadership style as well as solving a specific organizational or strategic problem.
Conducting individual coaching sessions
The aim of coaching is the permanent implementation of new habits and skills, therefore the whole project should last several months. The client may give up on the project after the initial sessions without giving a reason.
At times even the most experienced managers need to take a step back and judge the way they've been fulfilling
their professional, social and private roles
from a distance. Top managers are limited in openly discussing some of the challenges they face with people inside their organizations. This is why the the role of an outside consultant can be crucial.
An executive coach provides an unbiased perspective and his expertise can help in:
- defining the problem
- generating possible solutions
- setting development goals
- inspiring change
- initiating and implementing changes
Business leaders usually have enough self-awareness to be able to acknowledge and define their personal growth needs at the very start of the coaching sessions. They could be related to their personal skills, their leadership style as well as solving a specific organizational or strategic problem.
Conducting individual coaching sessions
- The first coaching session (~1,5h) is about getting to know each other and goal setting. The coach learns about the specific nature of the business leader’s job, his organizational goals and what his team/organization is like.
- The next (optional) step is “shadowing” – the coach follows his client on the job observing their work and their interactions with other people. It is important to choose a day that gives ample material for observation.
- The leading topic of the following sessions (lasting 2h each) will be chosen each time accordingly.
- The coach guides the discussion in a way that ensures the most effective way to reach the goal of the session:
- Primarily to inspire the client to conduct a constructive analysis of the current practices and to look for new solutions using the client's entire potential and professional experience. This is facililated primarily by asking relevant questions (the coaching aspect)
- Secondarily to give feedback relating to their strengths and discussing potential threats in a given situation (the training aspect)
- Thirdly to point out the solutions proven effective in similar business situations that are canon in the field of management (the mentoring aspect)
- Discussion is always built around real-life situations and current business challenges, which helps in implementing new tools and acquiring new skills.
- At the end of each session a new action plan is formulated and it's the result of the earlier discussion.
- In addition, a form of "homework" will be assigned to complete in time for the next session. These can range from implementing a particular operating method, answering some questions or doing some recommended reading.
- The coach prepares a written report for the client after each session.
- Session frequency – approx. every two weeks
- Between sessions the coach is available by a phone or by e-mail.
- After completing a series of in-person coaching sessions described above, the coaching may continue in the form of a series of half-hour teleconferences with the coach, the aim of which would be to monitor achievements related to the agreed course of action and the changes that are the direct result of the coaching sessions.
- All the details related to the course of the coaching sessions are a matter of strict confidence between the coach and the client. Though the client is free to reveal the details concerning the goals and the outcomes of the sessions to other people.
The aim of coaching is the permanent implementation of new habits and skills, therefore the whole project should last several months. The client may give up on the project after the initial sessions without giving a reason.
