More leaders are seeking executive coaching as the ever-evolving workplace demands adaptability. Whether you want to improve effectiveness or begin a new role, having tailored support gives you a clear advantage. In this article, we share our insights on who benefits the most from an executive coaching program.
Executive coaches specialize in supporting senior leadership and the unique challenges they face. Similar to a career coach, they can assist in career transitions and tailor their support to meet an individual’s specific needs. A key difference, however, is that executive coaches examine the needs of the entire organization and a leader’s role within that.
Executive coaching is a rapidly growing industry. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) carried out an extensive study of the coaching industry in 2020, with 22,000+ leaders and coaches globally. The results were quite impressive:
Hiring an executive coach offers many benefits to leaders and their teams alike. Here are some of the best reasons to get started:
Underperforming teams are costly and can reflect poorly on your leadership. An executive coach can identify pain points you might be missing, such as suppression of creative ideas or workplace communication barriers. Teams often lack motivation when they don’t have a clear understanding of the underlying mission. A coach can help you examine your current challenges holistically and get employee buy-in.
Feeling stuck in your job is a common problem. An executive coach can help you view things more objectively and identify what’s important to you in your career today. Maybe you’re ready for a larger role with more responsibility and aren’t sure how to transition. Or perhaps you’re experiencing executive isolation, unable to discuss your needs with anyone. Having no one to talk about your leadership challenges with can create significant stress.
Coaches can help by:
Working with a coach you can develop a path to move forward, within your current company or externally.
If you want to improve leadership skills, an executive coach can help you increase confidence and identify what’s been holding you back. Perhaps you want to demonstrate greater influence in public settings or present yourself in a more approachable, positive way. You may also wish to improve at goal setting and have someone to hold you accountable to those goals. These areas are where coaching can really make a difference, leading to better business outcomes and greater productivity.
Every executive has a brand, but few pay close attention to it. At the core of your personal brand is your reputation and the unique value you demonstrate to those you meet.
Executive coaches can help you to strengthen your personal brand. Part of that is your online presence – such as your professional bio and social media profiles. In-person impressions matter, too. A coach can examine your personal introduction (what you say and how you deliver it) as well as networking skills and help you improve where needed.
Having a strong executive presence is an important part of your personal brand that a coach can help you improve. Good leaders are able to communicate confidently and inspire others. Our 5-point executive presence checklist is a great way to see how you measure up.
Many executives seek executive coaching when they want to serve on a board of directors. Becoming a board member is a great way to advance and enhance your career. It’s a different way to leverage your expertise, participate in a highly collaborative environment, expand your network and use different skills.
When beginning a board search, it’s important to communicate your board value effectively and target boards that are the right fit based on your background and expertise. An executive coach can help you showcase your best attributes so you’re positioned well as a board candidate.
For more information on how to get on a board, including how to optimize your board bio, check out our Board Director Branding Guide.
In today’s ever-changing world, leadership adaptability is crucial. Employees and customers demand more of business leaders now than ever. Being aware of what matters most to the organization and the public in making business decisions is a demanding task. Support from executive coaching can make a great deal of difference, for your well-being as well as the bottom line.
