Leadership Exchange

Is Coaching Right For You?

According to a July 2011 American Management Association survey, almost half of participating organizations use coaching to prepare individuals for promotion or for a new role.

The survey notes the three most common uses for coaching are: leadership development, remedial performance improvement, and optimizing strong contributors. Most coaches meet with senior-level staff in person or by phone, either every other week or once a month for about a year, though they increasingly are available for emergency consults.

Should you engage the services of an executive coach, consider the following four ways to make your coaching experience a success:

It’s;critical;to;find;the;right;match.;You need someone to push and challenge you, to encourage you, and hold you accountable. But you also need someone you trust and can talk to easily. It’s a relationship, just as with a spouse or coworker—and it has to work.

Be;aware;of;your;organization’s;expectations.

Make sure your boss—and your boss’s boss—share their expectations and hoped-for outcomes with you. Then make sure your coach knows that those things belong at the top of your goals list.

Make;sure;you;get;what;you;pay;for. Come prepared
with issues or questions that have a direct correlation to suc-
cess in your job. Some coaches send summaries
with recommendations; you can refer to it to
recall advice and outcomes.

The;coach;needs;to;see;you;in;action. Allow him or her to observe you interacting with your peers or your direct reports. This also gives your colleagues a sense that you’re seen as valuable and promotable. And its shows them that you’re working on improving yourself.