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If you want to level up your leadership, you’ve probably considered executive coaching at some point. You probably know that it can be a significant investment from a cost and time point of view, but you’ve also seen the evidence that it works, and you think it could work for you, too. But are you ready to be coached?
Here are five questions to ask yourself before you take the plunge
Do you have a plan as to what the coaching will help with? I recently started work with a new client. When I asked her whether she’d had coaching before, she replied yes but hadn’t got much out of it. It turned out that it was coaching given to her by a former employer as part of a leadership programme, and because there was no pressing need for her to have coaching, she hadn’t really thought about her coaching objectives. You don’t need a specific, well-thought-through coaching goal yet - the first coaching session should help you define that. What you do need is a theme for the coaching and an idea of what success would look like post-coaching.
Helen Tuddenham
Do you have the drive to be proactive with coaching? Note that the question here is not “Do you have the time?” What we spend our time on is a choice, so you need to make the time for coaching. Being proactive with executive coaching means coming to each session with an idea about what you want to talk about and then ensuring you are working on changing behaviours, completing any actions you set yourself and reflecting on your progress in between sessions. I also recommend that clients block out the 15 minutes before the coaching session and the 30 minutes afterwards, just for a short time of preparation and then reflection.
Are you willing to take responsibility for your development? You need a belief that your future success is in your hands. Blaming your boss, work environment or the economy for your career issues will not help you move forward. Yes, you may need to work within some constraints, but I find that my clients are always surprised at how much power they do have to change their situations.
Are you willing to feel a little discomfort? If you’ve answered yes to the previous questions, then you will find yourself starting to change your behaviour as executive coaching begins to have an impact. This will mean going out of your comfort zone as you begin to experience new ways of being and acting. You may also feel discomfort in the coaching sessions themselves as you become more self-aware and start to unearth some of your values and limiting beliefs that were previously in the shadows. Trust that your coach is creating a safe space for you and that talking through these things will enable you to move forward..
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Are you willing to be open to new experiences without judgment? Judgment can arise in coaching when we dismiss some of the new knowledge we have uncovered about ourselves or how we interact with others. It can appear as self-judgement, judgement of others or judgement of some of the techniques used in coaching. A good executive coach will always ask permission before introducing a new method or approach to the coaching, and you can say no. But openness to new experiences is a key skill for growth - as is experimentation and a willingness to embrace failure without beating yourself up
If you’ve answered yes to those five questions, then yes, you are ready for coaching! Your next step is to find the right executive coach for you. Ask your employer - they may be willing to fund part or all of it and may have a list of recommended coaches they have worked with. Also, ask friends who have experienced coaching whom they would recommend.
You will find a plethora of executive coaches on the internet and Linked In. Have a shortlist of around five and then speak to at least three - only by meeting them can you be confident in choosing the right coach for you.
And if I’m the right fit for you, I would be delighted to be that coach to help you level up your leadership. For a free consultation about how a coaching programme with me could help, then get in touch - I would love to hear from you.