Ask PI Midlantic - Executive Coaching
Written by Shelley Smith, Senior Consultant

Question:
Why do companies send managers and executives to receive executive coaching? What do most senior level executives need from coaching? How do you know if the coaching was successful and what do you look for in an executive coach?

Answer:
Executive Coaching has evolved into the mainstream fast and become a norm, a standard for executives and high potentials.  This is because there is a great demand in the workplace for immediate results, and coaching can help provide that.  How? By providing feedback and guidance in real time.  Executive Coaching develops leaders in the context of their current jobs, without removing them from their day-to-day responsibilities.

How do you know if the coaching was successful?  The coaching itself must be predicated on the most important goals of the executive where the beginning is in strategic alignment with the driving force of the coaching itself.   Some consistent outcomes can be: 1) Sharpen existing leadership skills and develop new ones including the ability to adapt behaviors with a clear understanding of the group you are working with and for 2) Get new strategies for becoming more productive and innovative 3) See immediate results by practicing your new skills on current issues. 4) Address long-range strategic issues related to your business and your career.