LEADERSHIP COACHING: WHAT'S THE VALUE?

A good coaching process helps a leader learn how to achieve specific personal and professional goals. The purpose of coaching is to help the individual move forward, overcome any perceived obstacles, and move to a higher level of effectiveness, not to simply to solve problems and issues du jour. The coach is most often an experienced CEO, leader or chief administrator who has served successfully in numerous roles in a complex organization.  

Some of the more frequently addressed topics in coaching are:

• relationships that a leader has with different constituencies
• communication styles and strategies that serve different purposes
• balancing one’s personal and professional life and the integration of those aspects through time management
• designing and implementing special projects within the life of any organization
• leading and supporting change and growth
• collaborating with others to ensure a healthy, vibrant and cohesive  organization
• establishing effective ways and means for being the face and voice of the organization in the larger community.

Other issues of importance may be identified according to one’s own assessment, feedback from the Board of Directors and other means available for evaluating performance.

The value of coaching comes as a result of conscious attention on and practice of those aspects of leadership that may be taken for granted, overlooked or considered important by others.  Coaching is also a way of checking up on the comprehensive nature of leadership in a time of increasing demands and expectations.

 There are numerous sources for finding a good executive coach.  Be sure to get some references and if at all possible a face to face meeting is highly recommended.