Executive coaching has become essential to entrepreneurs today. Working with reputable coaches will benefit your business by providing high-level coaching to you and your top employees to ensure success.

Here’s everything you must know about business executive coaching

The Executive Coaching Process

Executive coaches offer a supportive and confidential sounding board.

The process of executive coaching begins with a confidential interview, wherein the executive coach asks questions, listens carefully, gives a different point of view, and offers resources. Instead of giving direct solutions or advice, they will guide you to find clarity and overcome any challenges. Behavioral assessments may also be performed to evaluate performance. Most importantly, they conduct brainstorming or problem-solving exercises to determine how you will react in specific situations.

After that, you will be provided developmental plans for progress monitoring purposes. These plans include ways to meet your goals. Follow-up may also be done through video chat, email, or phone conversations.

Face-to-face meetings can happen several times a month, and the coaching process can last for several months to a year. It concludes when your coach is satisfied with your progress, or you have reached your goals. You will then be provided with some resources, seminars, and training programs that can further develop your skills. Your coach might also conduct a follow-up months after the cessation of the coaching process to check your current situation and answer any remaining questions you have.

Reasons to Hire Executive Coaches

There is no longer any stigma with seeking the help of executive coaches; rather, it has become a kind of status symbol. Though executives may hire their own coaches, it would be better for business owners to recommend a coach to your managers and executives. Consider opting for executive training Singapore if you want to:

  • Enhance leadership skills
  • Boost chances of becoming a successful entrepreneur or manager
  • Resolve difficult business challenges or employee conflicts
  • Correct management issues and behavioral problems

Benefits of Executive Coaching

Some of today’s successful companies have benefited most from executive coaching in Dubai and across the world. Here are the positive outcomes of working with an executive coach:

Self-awareness

Studies have shown that most people don’t see themselves clearly. When running a business, self-awareness is crucial as this is linked with structural effectiveness and profitability. Moreover, employees want to follow leaders who see themselves very clearly.

By working with an executive coach, you will discover how others perceive you as soon as the coaching starts. Your coach will also share what she thinks of you based on how you interact with other people. Moreover, your coach will help develop skills to see yourself more clearly, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and question your doubts about yourself.

Accurate assessment of others

If you can’t assess other people accurately, you may run into problems. For instance, you could lose good employees because you can’t identify and support their abilities, or retain unqualified people in your business because you think they are your best people.

Executive coaching will help you become aware of how clever a person is, including their behavior and attitude. You can learn the skill of seeing others clearly to make sure that you only have the most capable people in your company.

Ability to leverage your strengths

An executive coach will bring out the strengths you might be underestimating and guide you in leveraging this. You will probably see the value and uniqueness of your capabilities and use them to benefit your organization.

Establishment of long-lasting relationships

You are not bound to create good relationships with people like you – in race, gender, background, work style, or beliefs. Executive coaching will identify this tendency in yourself and stop you from doing it by making you aware of your assumptions about other people and teaching you ways to understand and establish relationships with a diverse group of people.

Achievement of your goals

Determining and reaching your goals is the main objective of executive coaching. A reputable coach will help you identify your goals and create ways to achieve them. She can also become your support system throughout your journey – but as a third party. She will be honest with you regarding your work performance, reminding you of your goals, and letting you know your inaccuracies. Most importantly, you will learn innovative ways to operate your business and new skills to achieve what you want.

Finding an Executive Coach

Choosing the best coach is a crucial step in ensuring executive coaching’s success. Here are tips for finding the most suitable coach for you and your employees.

Get referrals

When searching for a great coach, asking referrals from people you trust is the best place to start. Anyone who had success working with executive coaching will most likely refer their coach to you.

Look for someone with the background you need

Executive coaches have different specialties, so make sure to find someone who is familiar with your industry or has worked with anyone like you. Familiarity will make sure that she understands your needs and way of thinking.

Checking the coach’s website is crucial, too. With this, you will have an idea of what to expect from them. You may also learn about the coach’s background, expertise, and experiences. Don’t forget to read the feedback and reviews of her past clients to learn more about the coach’s capabilities, techniques, and even attitude.

Test your chemistry

If you have a list of possible coaches to work with, contact them through phone or perhaps set a face-to-face meeting. This way, you can test the chemistry between you and the coach. While you are at it, feel free to ask them about their coaching experiences. A good coach will share with you some examples of their coaching career. 

Ask how the coaching will be conducted

The right coach will walk you through their executive coaching process so you will have an idea of how it will help you. She will also describe how you will gain new insights and develop new skills so you can run your business better. Moreover, modifications may be done to cater to your specific needs.

Navigating through your business does not have to be a solitary journey. You will encounter setbacks and challenges that you may not be able to handle on your own. You can get help from your employees and enroll in project management courses. Still, a business executive coach will offer the right guidance and feedback necessary for business success.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Salma El-Shurafa is an experienced Executive Coach and founder of The Pathway Project. She is a Professional Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach from The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and a graduate of CTI’s Co-Active Leadership program.