What is Executive Coaching?

EXECUTIVE COACHING IS REPEATED, PURPOSEFUL, AND FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND DESIRED RESULTS OF THE COACHEE. EXECUTIVE COACHING LEVERAGES THE POWER OF FOCUS AND VISION THAT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LEADERSHIP PRESENCE AND RESULTS.

“Much of what managers do in the workplace – how they sell ideas, run meetings, manage others, and communicate – is so well routinized that the basal ganglia (the part of the brain where neural circuits of long-standing habits are formed and held) are running the show. Trying to change any hardwired habit requires a lot of effort in the form of attention. This often leads to a feeling that many people find uncomfortable. So they do what they can to avoid change. Focus is power. The act of paying attention creates chemical and physical changes in the brain. Attention density shapes identity. Repeated, purposeful, and focused attention can lead to long-lasting personal evolution.”
The Neuroscience of Leadership
by David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz

The International Coach Federation (ICF) states that coaching is about “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Leaders often benefit from a thought partner for support and guidance when dealing with complex challenges and opportunities. We all live in our own heads and at times we need help in creating a new perspective. It’s not easy to evaluate ourselves, which is why there is so much value in having a thought partner available to provide feedback and facilitate feedback from others. One purpose of executive coaching is to bring focus and clarity to a challenge or opportunity and to unmask what really needs to be solved or addressed. Another purpose is to take the time to reflect on identity and values and develop a vision of self as leader. Coach and coachee then work together to develop a plan of action with a focus on the change and results needed to translate your leadership vision into reality.

EXECUTIVE COACHING CAN LEAD TO LONG-LASTING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EVOLUTION.

STEPHEN’S COACHING PROCESS:

  1. Initial introduction and consultation to determine if there is fit and chemistry.
  2. Identify personal and organizational goals and role requirements. This may include a sponsor meeting.
  3. Expand the coachee’s self-awareness through assessment and feedback from others.
  4. Review the focus for the coaching engagement with updated goals and measurements for success.
  5. Design the coaching format to support the coachee’s process of focus, reflection, action, and behavior change.
  6. Utilize dialogue, practice, role-play and debrief of practice results to hold the focus and attention on the outcomes wanted.
  7. Evaluate progress relative to defined goals and outcomes. This may include a sponsor meeting.
  8. Define next steps based on deepened self-knowledge.

Stephen has been a certified coach through ICF since 2003. The International Coach Federation is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high professional standards, providing independent certification, and building a network of credentialed coaches. It exists to support and advance the coaching profession through programs and standards and to be an authoritative source on coaching information and research for the public.

For additional information you can go to www.coachfederation.org