With all the everyday pressures of our careers, some wonder why hire a leadership coach? It may appear to be ‘just more thing’ on a long list of things to do in a career or leadership development effort. In fact, not too long ago, executives who hired an executive or leadership coach were looked down upon as ones that were on their way out.
That was, and still is, obsolete thinking.
Today, executives who use services offered by professional executive and leadership coaches are looked upon as ones who are on their way up.
There are many reasons that have helped raise the profile of the executive coaching industry. More and more executives understand the necessity of having a coach. and/or leadership consultant. Just like with professional athletes where a sports coach is a necessity; an executive coach is a necessity for every leader or senior executive who takes their professional growth and alignment seriously. The justifications are numerous; the following are just a few to consider:
- Objective Partner for your Success. Everyone can benefit from an objective, credible, knowledgeable and experienced person – who can serve as a sounding board and sometimes an honest, candid, and unconditional experienced advisor.
- Deepen your self awareness and awareness of others. Often, we don’t truly know ourselves. We are ‘out of alignment’ with what we love to do, what we are good at doing, and even for whom we are working. Coaching can help reveal oneself, and heighten understanding of other professionals on a deeper, more meaningful level. This will improve our ability to handle stress, anxiety and our ability to read others. And, it helps you build sustainability, as your intentions are clear and well-grounded.
- Accountability. If you need and want to be held accountable for your results against defined objectives – a coach can be the outside partner to help.
- Tough questions. A coach will continue to ask tough, challenging questions about yourself, your performance and the performance of your company, division or department. The coach will work with you on how to improve in focus areas, and help explore new tactics and strategies, to achieve your ‘desired state’.
- Get a competitive edge. If you are wanting to set yourself apart, be promoted, or grow your entrepreneurial venture, coaching can help show how to strengthen your individual brand and overall reputation by identifying, and exploring the creative marketing of, your unique differentiators.
- Learn to recognize your strengths and create a compelling brand and value proposition. Who are you? What makes you different? A coach can help you learn to narrow your focus and emphasize your strengths and skill set. Then, help you learn how to hone your message so that it is relevant to your market.
- Heighten your presence. From communication style, carriage, and dress, a coach can help hold the mirror so you may honestly see yourself, how you come across, and help you continue to improve so you will differentiate yourself and stand out if your field.
Still not sure why a leadership coach and consultant makes sense or how one differentiates from another? Reach out to Alignment, Inc. – we will be happy to discuss further with you!
Thanks for this insightful article. I would add one additional benefit to your list – Keeping your Leadership Skills Current. Many leaders focus all of their effort on getting the job done – which on the surface sounds like the ethical approach and yet, their skills depreciate just like their computer hardware and software. Over time, they become outdated. Working with a coach is one way to maintain focus on staying as current in how you lead as you do on updating your software or hardware.
Kristin: Thanks for sharing this. It’s important to continue stressing the word “professional” leadership/executive coach. The market is flooded with so many people who call themselves coaches, so hopefully, clients are asking deeper questions about training and certification of the coaches they hire! Great blog, Kristin. Thank you.
Kristin, very good thoughts, as always. I also like to add a thought. I have had several situation where the coaching was related to some training projects or other circumstances that allowed me to be in the organization and meet with employees.
I believe there is huge value in delivering some of the “vibe” and “atmosphere” and “issues” that a coach picks up when encountering the employees of the leader. I have been frequently amazed how distorted the perspective of the leader can be on the one hand, and how thankful they are when an outside advisor/coach tells them clearly what the reality in the trenches of their organization is.
Significant benefits flow when a Senior Leader pursues Coaching for themselves and for their Leadership Team. There are limits a single leader hits even if they’re the Big Boss. Collective habits and culture can frustrate and even sabotage the individual’s best efforts.
Think of it like a Championship Team – where a great MVP level player is needed but so are a team of complimentary players. A true Championship Team must develop both individually and collectively.
Individual Coaching combined with collective team efforts connects the dots that lead to break thru performance.
Thanks, all, for your wise commentary. Appreciate you following and contributing.
[…] of alignment. This often takes time and reflection to figure this out…and sometimes it takes a person, coach, or sounding board to help. This can (and does) change over the course of our lives, as priorities, interests, and other […]
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I liked how you pointed out that hiring a leadership coach can help you recognize your strengths. I feel like this would be helpful since you would then be able to understand how to better utilize your strengths to be more impactful and productive in your career. I wouldn’t mind hiring a leadership coach once I start to get deeper into a career.