Individual Coaching for Executives and Managers

Situation #1: A key individual at a relatively senior level in your organization has reached a critical juncture. On one hand, his strong technical knowledge and experience means he has a lot to contribute. On the other hand, his interpersonal style is seriously limiting his ability to work effectively with others. Despite discussions you have had with him, he doesn't seem to know how to make the needed changes. You don't want to let him go but the negative impact of his style is now outweighing his contribution to the organization.

Situation #2: You have a strong performer with a lot of potential, as yet untapped. Maybe she was recently promoted, transferred or hired into a challenging new role, one that is clearly stretching her talents. Or perhaps she has been in the same role for awhile and both you and she feel it is now time to accelerate her growth curve as a leader.

Each of these scenarios is a good fit for one-on-one coaching. When should you consider investing in coaching? When ALL of the following apply:

1. A successful change in behavior will generate significant performance results
2. A customized skill-building approach is called for (vs. sending him/her on training seminars)
3. The issues are sufficiently complex to require focused guidance over a period of time, and
4. The circumstances call for sensitivity and confidentiality

Because each coaching client is different, each coaching assignment is different. Typically, however, we begin by identifying the client's behavior change objectives, current interpersonal style and its impact on his or her performance.

After an initial self-assessment input and sometimes the gathering of feedback from others (e.g. coach interviews, 360-degree feedback), the coaching sessions typically include:

• discussions
• role playing
• skill modeling by the coach
• observing the client in action (e.g. meetings, typical interactions)
• coach's feedback
• challenges to client's existing perceptions, beliefs and approaches
• support and encouragement.

1. Intensive Coaching:
• Includes one monthly half-day face-to-face session and one weekly phone consultation, plus additional phone consultations, as required (Phone consultations typically last anywhere from 30-90 minutes).
• We require from the client and his or her manager an up-front commitment to three months of coaching.
• Additional months are contracted for as needed, depending upon progress and still untapped opportunities. This is determined by the client and the manager, with input from the consultant.
2. Support Coaching:
• This phase is optional, depending upon the situation at the conclusion of the intensive phase.
• Includes, per month, a minimum of one scheduled phone consultation every two weeks, plus additional phone consultations, as required.
• Duration of this service is determined by the client and manager, with input from the consultant.
• Offers both a reinforcement of the new behaviors as well as a more gradual wind-down of the process.