Coaching -- What executives say

Executive coaching has become a popular leadership development technique. A research study by Christine Turner, published in the Ivey Business Journal, asked executives themselves what benefits, if any, they've received from executive coaching. Turner was guided by questions like: What are the benefits of executive coaching? What are its limitations? What factors are critical to its success? The executives typically cited these goals: to fine-tune their vision for their business, empower and motivate staff, improve communication and listening skills, and become more confident and assertive.

The benefits of executive coaching as a leadership development tool were:

• Continuous one-on-one attention

Since executive coaching takes place over an extended period of time, it becomes a great way to not only acquire but ingrain learned skills. Coaching achieves results superior to attending a course, reading a book, or having a discussion.

"Executive coaching works for the 'leadership, performance, personal effectivenss and 360-degree development (she) wants... Coaching provides a consistent, long-term development that gets embedded and becomes part of your routine."

• Expanded thinking through dialogue with a curious outsider

"Dialogue, fuelled through powerful questions, is at the heart of the coaching process. In coaching conversations, executives think out loud, become more reflective and gain access to their own tacit knowledge and unexplored ideas. The coach's role is to act as a sounding board, confidant, partner, challenger and catalyst for change."

• Self-awareness, including blind spots

"The expression 'no pain, no gain' is true for coaching; it is not easy to be challenged out of your business-as-usual comfort zone." The value is not for a coach to be really nice, or another friend. The value is having someone who sees what you don't see, and says what others won't.

• Personal accountability for development

One can learn proper form in a one-time fitness course, but quickly lose the way by cutting corners, using poor technique, or skipping workouts. Executives, like athletes, benefit from the ongoing personal training that creates momentum and ensures accountability for development and achievement of goals.

• Just-in-time learning

Because it is personal and situation-specific, coaching provides learning on the spot for special situations and new challenges.

Limitations of coaching...

To have the best possible experience with executive coaching, clients need to ensure that their coach offers:

• Defined methodology

Coaching is popular, and many non-expert, non-trained coaches are offering services. Those coaches can be a waste of time, money, and energy, "paid friend" who informally advises, rather than guiding clients to develop new skills and capabilities that generate lasting results. Be careful. Do your homework. Ensure that your coach has extensive business experience, proven methods, and a solid track record. (To read about Krissi Barr's extensive experience and career, please visit http://www.barrcorporatesuccess.com/kbarrbio.php. For real results of clients, please go to: http://www.barrcorporatesuccess.com/success.php)

• Defined shared language

Executive coaches must be familiar with the language of business, and be able to not only speak it well, but offer real-world business expertise. Again, do your homework, and define terms upfront.

• Clarity of focus

While an executive coach can offer brief situational guidance on personal matters, the focus should always return, quickly, to business skills and business results. Executive coaches are not therapists or medical practitioners. Any ethical coach should refer clients to professional therapists for highly personal or dysfunctional situations.

• Continuity between sessions

There should be an "arc of learning" and a defined pattern of progress, follow-up, and ongoing goals. If a coach cannot define, organize and follow a plan, he or she cannot help you do so.

• Measurement of results

Measurement is an important means of making sure that you do what's important, do what matters, to achieve your long-term objectives. When you try to reach a destination, you do so with mile markers and an end destination in mind. Anything else is an aimless stroll through the countryside!

Krissi Barr of Barr Corporate Success is a respected and celebrated executive coach and business consultant offering individual and team coaching. In her twenty-year business career, she achieved amazing results for companies she worked for, and for more than 5 years has independently offered coaching that helps others achieve outstanding results.

For more information, visit Barr Corporate Success.