Author: Dr. Nancy Zentis, CEO, Institute of Organization Development
Lack of a Business Plan or Strategy
Most coaching programs fail because no business plan or strategy has been identified to manage the process. An executive coach is brought in to help a senior leader correct a performance issue, personality issue, or behavioral problem. The senior leader is often resistant to coaching and doesn’t see the value in spending time with a coach. Another potential roadblock can occur once the coaching sessions start if the senior leader doesn’t have the support or reinforcement needed to help them improve. They receive little or no feedback or recognition for their progress and they become dissatisfied with coaching.
Increasing Leadership Effectiveness
Organizations that have developed a coaching strategy and tied coaching to their performance feedback, leadership development, succession planning, and metrics are more likely to increase leadership effectiveness, satisfaction, retention, and business goals. In today’s environment, leaders need help and support to deal with the difficult challenges facing them on every level. Leaders need coaches to help them retool a changing work environment and social structure, manage virtual workers, and focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Leaders also need support when dealing with recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, performance, communication, solving conflicts, growing the business, encouraging innovation, and getting better at their “soft skills” to motivate and encourage employees.
The Role of the Executive Coach
The Executive Coach’s role is to develop and implement an effective coaching strategy to successfully coach senior leaders and provide feedback for results. Effective coaching helps senior leaders deal with their most critical challenges, encourages them to address pressing issues, and is built on a relationship of trust. The role of an Executive Coach is to focus on the client, help them feel comfortable to try new techniques, improve their skills, and guide them to solve their own problems. Being an effective listener, being mindful, being curious, asking inquiry questions, reflecting back what has been said, offering feedback, sharing stories, building on their ideas, and creating learning opportunities are a few of the many coaching skills required of a successful Executive Coach.
Executive Coaches are in Demand
Coaching should be offered in every organization as a benefit for professional development and growth. With the growing demands placed on leaders in today’s environment and so many difficult decisions to make, a coach can provide invaluable support. The VISTAGE organization provides executive coaching to CEO’s of small to medium businesses. Most of the leaders who join VISTAGE remain in the group for 14-20 years. They’ve realized the value and have benefitted from having a coach!
Don’t miss out! Sign up today!
If you would like to become an Executive Coach, the Institute of Organization Development (IOD) offers an online certification program – ECCP. Unlike many coaching programs, IOD will help you master the skills needed to become a successful Executive Coach!
- You will be provided with tools and guidelines to help your clients develop a coaching strategy and plan
- You will practice our IOD Coaching Model and build your confidence while receiving valuable feedback
- Our experienced team of Coaches will provide you with sample questions, discussion guidelines, and development and planning tools
- You will receive one-on-one coaching from your coach and have the opportunity to practice with other participants
Author:
Dr. Nancy Zentis is the Chief Strategist and CEO of Institute of Organization Development (IOD), offering online certification programs for those interested in Organization Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching, and Professional Development Skills for ongoing learning. As a consultant in the field of OD for over 25 years, Nancy is recognized for her experience working with many clients to create strategies for Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Talent Management, and Organization Development Change Management. She can be reached at Nancy.zentis@instituteod.com. For more information about our OD certification programs and professional development workshops, please visit our website www.instituteod.com.