During your end of year performance review your boss says, “We want you to work with an executive coach.” Your heart starts to race and panic starts churning in your gut. Boss continues, “The coach will help you work on communication skills and executive presence, so you can prep for the next step in your career.”
Working with a coach is a good thing
Relax. Working with an executive coach is a good thing. It shows that the company is willing to invest in you and your career.
Maybe you are doing great and simply need some honing to get you ready for bigger things. Or maybe the company values you but feels like you need to change something that is impacting your performance.
In any case, the company is spending significant money to help you in a very individual and direct way. Embrace the opportunity.
Getting started with an executive coach
So, what happens next? What is the process of working with an executive coach?
Although every coaching engagement is different, it might unfold like this. The first step is to have a general idea of the topic for your coaching. You might want a coach to help hone some skills or assist in a transition. Once you identify your need, you know what type of coach to seek.
Your company should set you up to have a screening call with 2-3 executive coaches. Choose the coach who can help with your issue and who you feel trust and a connection to.
Once you choose your coach, the company will sign contract and agreements. The coaching engagement will likely be for a period of 3-6 months. During that time, you will have regularly scheduled sessions with the coach.
What to expect with an executive coach
Often the first session is held in person to build rapport and set expectations. Most of the other sessions will occur over the phone or through video conferencing.
Engagements might include assessments on work style and personality or 360 feedback. Executive coaches will often interview the client’s boss, peers and direct reports to create a verbal 360. This information informs the sessions and identifies needed behavior changes.
During the sessions, the coach will use powerful questions to guide your exploration of your strengths, opportunities and work situations.
Coaching engagements are intended to have a clear completion date – often 6 months. Coaching should provide the ability for the client to learn and to sustain new behaviors and skills without ongoing support. The wrap up includes a final debrief with both the client and the client’s boss.
Adapted from ‘What is executive coaching and how does it work?’ published on Science of Working on September 5, 2019
