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The Role Of The Executive Coach: Developing The Best Talent

Guest post by: Roger Ingbretsen

Article Overview: Today’s economic environment is demanding even more from the individuals holding executive leadership positions. Doing more with less is the mantra of most organizations. The executive coach serves as an extra pair of eyes, ears and added experience to aid in new and different approaches executives used to meet organizational goals.

The Role Of The Executive Coach: Developing The Best Talent

Top athletes have used the experience of a coach for decades. Today more and more business executives are taking advantage of coaching services. They see the benefit a coach can have in assisting them in reaching higher levels of performance. They view coaches as a valuable asset in their continuing executive development.

Today’s economic environment is demanding even more from the individuals holding executive leadership positions. Doing more with less is the mantra of most organizations. The executive coach serves as an extra pair of eyes, ears and added experience to aid in new and different approaches executives used to meet organizational goals.

Many baby-boomer executives will continue retiring leaving a void which in many instances is hard to fill. Mid-level management – the typical grooming period for the next generation of executives – was decimated in the last two decades resulting in a large gap of those prepared to move effectively to the executive role. The executive coach can play an important role in the selection and transition of new people into key executive positions.



The most direct and important benefit derived from solid executive coaching is the development of the organizations present and future leaders. Therefore, to be most effective, executive coaching must be both strategic and individualized. Executive coaching that is focused on the business strategy of the organization and on the development needs of the individual is the key to achieving the desired results.

Since executive coaching is strategic, special care must be taken by the organization to select for coaching those individuals who bring strengths to the table. Executive coaching must not be viewed as a “fix it program” for those who exhibit weak leadership skills. Investing in mediocre performers will not bring about a good return on your investment. When you force coaching on a mediocre individual you will be disappointed in your decision. Only invest in your best! They will appreciate your interest in their executive development and will become engaged in the executive coaching experience.

Executive coaching is not about process or a program… its all about results! The role of the executive coach is to identify the most important outcomes the organization and the person being coached wants to achieve. The executive coach must influence the client to think, communicate and lead in ways that will improve personal and organizational results. Executive coaching is an art, not a science. Good executive coaches have developed the ability to influence and guide their clients to think and act more effectively.

The executive coach must tailor each encounter with a client as a unique relationship. One set model or program does not work for all clients. Yes, there will be many assessment tools that will apply as a baseline; however, each coaching relationship starts with a blank sheet of paper, developing over time specific approaches so the client learns how to play off their unique strengths and mitigates issues which keep them from achieving the desired results.

The executive coach must tailor each encounter with a client as a unique relationship. One set model or program does not work for all clients. Yes, there will be many assessment tools that will apply as a baseline; however, each coaching relationship starts with a blank sheet of paper, developing over time specific approaches so the client learns how to play off their unique strengths and mitigates issues which keep them from achieving the desired results.

The effective executive coach provides the client with different perspectives and new approaches they can use so they can change their thinking and get the desired and needed results the organization expects for its leaders. Very often the executive coach serves as a sounding board which the client can use to think through ideas and approaches to both immediate and long-range issues.



Bottom line… Executive coaching is most often the single best method for improving the effectiveness of the organizations leadership talent. Effective executives create a sustainable and growing organization through more satisfied employees; satisfied employees perform at their best creating improvements, innovation, more satisfied customers and higher profits. Executive coaching is not an expense… its an investment in the future of the organization.

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Article Tags: executive coach, executive coaching, role of executive coach



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