What is an Executive Coach? Why Work with One? (2024)

If you were searching the internet by using various "executive coaching" word combinations, you can find some answers to your questions in this post. I`ll cover mainly the following FAQ:

1. Why Work with an Executive Coach?
2. What is an Executive Coach? What Does an Executive Coach Do? 
3. Does Executive Coaching Work? 
4. Executive Coaching Explained - What to Consider

Introduction and Some Data

My search intent data research showed me that these are some of the most searched word combinations about executive coaching in Switzerland: "executive coaching explained, what is an executive coach, what does an executive coach do, does executive coaching work, executive coaching explained, executive coaching for directors, executive coaching for doctors, executive coaching for entrepreneurs, executive coaching requirements, executive coaching for lawyers,  executive coaching for physicians".

Data surprised me again about the specific searches from specific industries locally around this topic. (If you are coach and reading this, I hope this helps you, too.)

Why Work with an Executive Coach?

I`ve been both on the executive coach and the coachee sides. Based on my experiences, plus the Five Benefits Of Executive Coaching That Might Surprise You (Forbes. com article, and Why an executive coach is now a must-have for CEOs | Financial Times (ft.com) article, here are the 7 benefits of working with an executive coach:

1. Work through complex business challenges.
2. Gaining a different perspective.
3. Achieving goals faster and with an accountability partner.
4. Increasing self-confidence.
5. Gaining clarity on business challenges.
6. Improving leadership skills.
7. Increasing productivity.

What is an Executive Coach? What does an Executive Coach Do? 

According to the International Coach Federation (ICF), the world`s largest globally recognized organization, Coaching is about “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” 

What is Coaching? | MIT Human Resources defines it as a sophisticated management style and adds that it is about developing a relationship to empower employees. 

Does Executive Coaching Work? 

Yes, it does in the majority of cases. (I`ll add data here later.) Executive coaches help their clients achieve their goals by helping them build their confidence and competence according to MIT. The four dimensions of Coaching are summarised below according to the What is Coaching? | MIT Human Resources article:

• Providing direction in terms of clarity
• Opening up possibilities
• Playing an active role in removing obstacles
• Improving performance

Executive Coaching Explained - What to Consider

If you are considering working with an executive coach, you might want to check the following, according to the HBR article Are You Ready to Be Coached? (hbr.org):

• Tolerance for discomfort
• Openness to experimentation
• Ability to look beyond the rational
• Willingness to take responsibility
• Self-discipline
• Ability to ask for support

You can read more on Are You Ready to Be Coached? (hbr.org).

Executive Coaching Process. Executive Coaching Models.

As usual, there are different approaches and methods in this area, too. For example, the one method I use in my Coaching practice is called the GROW method.

1.    Goal: Set clear objectives.

2.    Reality: Evaluate the current situation.

3.    Options: Exploring the alternatives,

4.   Way Forward: Define and take actions, take accountability.

You can read about the other executive coaching models here 5 Executive Coaching Models Used by the Best Coaches (forbes.com)

In conclusion, I am pretty biased, and would highly recommend working with a coach you trust and respect. I will add some data points to this post to provide more data-based insights later, as this is currently an MVP Post (Minimum Viable Product:) Post).  FAQ About Executive and Career Coaching Near Me (coachdigital.ch)

Conclusion

Here is what I`ve covered in this post:

1. Why Work with an Executive Coach?
2. What is an Executive Coach? What Does an Executive Coach Do? 
3. Does Executive Coaching Work?
4. Executive Coaching Explained - What to Consider

Good luck with your search for executive Coaching, finding an executive coach, or becoming an executive coach yourself. To explore more details about the coaching topic, please visit FAQ About Executive and Career Coaching Near Me (coachdigital.ch), which can also be helpful.

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When you are ready, there are 3 ways I can help you with:

1. Explore free resources to learn: Resources to Learn for Free (coachdigital.ch)
2. Work with me as an Executive Coach: Career Coaching Offers for Executives and Founders (coachdigital.ch)
3. Work with me as a Digital Strategy Consultant: Digital Marketing and Digital Transformation Consultant (coachdigital.ch)

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References:

• What is Coaching? How Coaching Works, the Coaching Process, Coaching Benefits | ICF - YouTube
• What is Coaching? | MIT Human Resources
• Are You Ready to Be Coached? (hbr.org)
• 5 Executive Coaching Models Used by the Best Coaches (forbes.com)