Perspectives
Executive Coaching:
Who’s on First, What’s on Second
and Why is it so Important
(Part 3 of 3)
by George M. Hendley
|
“Clearly, there’s been a surge of
interest in executive coaches in the past few years. Indeed, some fast
trackers think it’s essential to have an executive coach who can help iron
out their interpersonal kinks on the way up the corporate ladder.” Dean
McFarland; Professor of Management; |
This has been a ‘long
inning’ but we’re back for the third and final batter (part three) in this
‘three bagger’ series that we started two months ago. We focused last month on who is the executive coach and who is the
executive. We’ll wrap up this final article by a focused look at ‘the what’
of executive coaching. What does that mean? Let me explain.
Specialize or Die?
Thirteen years ago when I
entered the realm of professional speaking there was a local coach/consultant
whose theme or slogan was: Specialize or
Die. Short, not too sweet and definitely in your face. I didn’t quite get
it then, but little by little her message began to ring loud and clear to me.
You either were a ‘roving generalist’ with no clear focus and no ability to
gain a branded, niche place in the mind of the client or you were like a highly
focused laser beam. You knew you had to be sharply centered, clear and concise
or you would plateau early and stay at one basic fee range while your client’s
perception of you would be limited. Not a great place to be.
Now, how does that relate
to executive coaching? Over the past 8-10 years, as the quote above says, there
has been a growing realization that those who wanted to ‘get ahead fast’ needed
relevant, specialized knowledge, skills and attitudes to elevate them to a
higher level of productivity and results. This need in the marketplace was the
genesis for a whole new twist on corporate training. The need for training and
development in a ‘one-on-one’ scenario emerged. And thus the need for executive
coaching was born.
The Need Determines the Demand
The ‘what’ of executive
coaching is simply about meeting a need. It is the coach and the executive in
partnership, both wanting to engage in a trusting relationship that can bring
positive change. This change is always incremental, practical in nature and is
delivered through a well designed delivery system to help the client produce
fulfilling results in his/her personal and professional life.
The need is for
specialized knowledge. The executive coach must have a well developed acumen
and mental library that is able to be categorized and presented in a way that
is both safe and appealing to the executive. What is needed is not always ‘new
knowledge’ but the ability to put old knowledge to use in a new way. New
insights, new twists, new views on the same subject can radically alter the
final outcomes. The good executive coach assists the client in finding and
implementing ways to capitalize on these knowledge needs.
The need is for succinct skills that are relevant to the executives work place
and his/her productivity, first with people and then with systems or processes.
These skills could be very diverse and at times the wise executive coach
recognizes the need for external sources or ‘other voices’ that can address the
specifics more adeptly. An executive coach doesn’t need to possess all the
needed skills sets. Rather he/she must
be able to accurately assess what is needed and know how to acquire the best
teaching or educational system to deliver the message whoever or whatever that
might be.
Finally, the need is for
right attitudes. Attitudes can be difficult to define while even more challenging
to develop and engrain. As a well designed glove or a well balanced bat in
baseball enhance the play of a professional player, attitude can dramatically
enhance or detract from the business professionals productivity and
effectiveness. The right attitude usually sets the stage for all other types of
growth and change. With a winning, positive attitude the right knowledge and
skills can be more quickly and easily developed and will usually become fixed
and permanent.
Listening- Observing- Supporting
Executive coaching is
highly attuned and often empathetic listening that hears both facts and
feelings and is able to balance the perspective of what’s the right approach at
this moment as well as when situations become less pressing or urgent. It is
listening and observing with your ears, eyes and heart to be finely tuned to
the message behind the message that brings the best response and solutions for
the moment.
Working to provide support
to enhance the skills, resources, and creativity that the client already has is
an ongoing task of the executive coach. Being entrusted to bring new ideas, new
insights and new discoveries to the challenges being faced by the executive is
part of the ‘grand slam’ excitement and potential of being in the game.
In baseball or any sport, good coaching is foundational for success and
achievement. The fact that coaching is growing at such a rapid rate in the corporate
world at all levels says that we are finally awakening to a new age of
learning, a new model for discovery and truly proven methods that make it
valued and meaningful. No sports team ever wins without great coaches and the
business world is coming to this conclusion as well.
The bases are loaded and
you’re up to bat. As your coach, I’m smiling and ready to see you hit a grand
slam. Batter up!
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