Trends & Articles
Finding the Right Executive Coach
By Nan Valentine
Published on Monday, March 5th, 2007 under Executive Coaching
In a study of more than 300 firms, 47% of the top 20 companies for leaders reported regularly assigning coaches for their high potential employees. Meanwhile, just 10% of lower performing firms used coaches (Hewitt Associates: 2003 Top Companies for Leaders).
Clearly executive coaches can support superior leadership and business performance. If you haven’t used a coach before, you probably have some questions:
- Is there more than one type of executive coach?
- What, exactly, do coaches do?
- Why should I spend the time and money to work with a coach or to assign coaches to executives at my organization?
- What are the benefits?
- Is coaching expensive?
- If I want to find a coach, how do I get started?
Now for some answers!
Is there more than one type of coach?
There are several different kinds of coaches. Many executive coaches focus on leadership behaviors. Strategic coaches generally work with a senior team rather than a specific individual. Personal coaches primarily address lifestyle issues, while other coaches may focus on teams, on sales or marketing, on technical issues, or on helping an organization navigate change. It is important to identify the type of coaching you seek so you can find the coach most suited to your specific needs.
I specialize in one-on-one executive and team coaching. If I can’t meet your coaching needs, I can help you find someone who can.
What does a coach do?
This is an important question, because oftentimes we misuse coaches. In an ideal executive coaching situation, a capable executive who enjoys a good job fit works with an expert coach who can help him or her move to the next performance level.
Sometimes we call in coaches to “fix” someone who is a poor performer. This usually doesn’t work that well. The person may be ill-suited to the job, or personal problems may be affecting the individual’s ability to do the job.
One of the things a coach can do is identify ways to match an individual’s innate talents, interests and skills to the job. We can explore options for addressing the challenges, but we will have limited success if the person being coached is simply in the wrong job.
I offer my clients an instrument called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI). The MBTI provides limitless insights into many of the innate preferences or characteristics that affect our personal and professional lives.
Coaches who work with individuals or with teams help the people involved develop specific, measurable, action-oriented goals. They ask the right questions. They offer different perspectives for consideration. They encourage. They monitor progress. The coach’s goal is the client’s forward movement and success.
I support executive success with honesty and integrity. I offer balanced feedback, and I maintain the confidential agreement we discuss at the beginning of the engagement.
Is coaching expensive?
Coaching fees can seem high, but the fees are reasonable if the value the client receives more than offsets the compensation costs. It is important to identify the value you expect to receive at the outset. Match that against the expected fee. Good coaches are well compensated. They also produce more value for an organization than it pays out in coaching fees.
My clients know they receive value because we assess the results. If the individual is in the sales profession, it is relatively easy to measure whether sales increased or not. With other coaching situations, I generally use a 360 degree feedback instrument so the people being managed can tell us whether the person I am coaching has managed in a way that led to greater success.
My services are guaranteed. Those who hire me pay me when they believe they have received value that exceeds the amount invoiced.
Why hire me?
My clients are the best judge of my coaching services. Here’s what they are saying:
“I am amazed by Nan’s intuitive ability to find the problem and then inspire others to find a solution that works.” – CEO, consumer goods firm
“Nan’s coaching service has delivered strong results impacting my personal development and my company’s competitiveness. She has unique skills to focus on the key issues that lead to professional growth.” Strategy Director, global insurance company
“Nan identifies the issues, works with individuals to develop a plan, ensures commitment to action, and keeps those who need to be informed updated on a regular basis. She is passionate about coaching and developing individuals’ personal leadership skills.” – Human Resources Director, banking firm
“Nan is dynamic, and we value her expertise.” – Sr. Vice President, grocery wholesale firm
“Nan’s focus is on satisfying our business needs, not simply delivering a pre-packaged program.” – Sr. Vice President, insurance firm
How do I get started if I want to hire a coach?
If you are looking for individual executive or team coaching, call me. Together we can explore whether there is a good match. I can also help you locate other resources for other kinds of coaching needs. Call Nan Valentine, (515)253-0646, or send your email to Nan@valentinecoaching.com.