Executive coaching was once viewed as a last-ditch effort to rescue an executive with some fatal flaw. No longer. Coaching is fast becoming a way for executives on the rise to add extra capabilities to their repertoire and gain an edge to more quickly advance their career. A good coach can help an executive ratchet up performance; a bad one can keep him or her stuck in the status quo. This makes selecting the right coach a career expanding-or limiting-decision.
Many executives instinctively know what to look for in a coach: the right chemistry, experience, skills, and an ability to command a client's respect without commanding. But much less obvious is being sure that the coach understands the role he or she is to play. When an executive coach shows up wanting to play one of these seven roles, better look for another guide:
- Playing Confessor
Coaching is not about absolution, but about behavior change.
- Playing Freud
Coaches don't get paid to fathom the "inner self," but to assess what's observable.
- Playing Houdini
Don't pretend there's magic in coaching. Explain your process to your client and to anyone else who needs to be involved.
- Playing Solomon
Don't think you've got all the answers. For the best insights, look to those who interact with your client on a regular basis.
- Playing Tarzan
You don't get paid to carry your client's monkey. He or she must carry the burden and learn how to lighten the load.
- Playing Apologist
Coaching is not about making excuses for your client, but about changing performance so excuses will no longer be necessary.
- Playing Terrorist
Coaches don't win through intimidation, sabotage, or by rattling clients. Your only job is to help clients, not to destroy their ego-or career.
And what is a legitimate role for coaches to play? Socrates is a terrific role model. He knew how to raise the tough questions and prompt introspection, but his solutions were grounded in empirical reality.
Copyright 2006 Guttman Development Strategies, Inc. Contact them at: www.guttmandev.com
Leadership Excellence magazine has named this year's Top 100 Leadership Development Programs in the U.S. Guttman Development Strategies, Inc. was selected as one of the top 15 independent consulting firms.
