Executive Coaching: What makes us want to be coached?
What would make Executives want to coach or be coached? The
simple answer to this question is if their compensation is tied
to their coaching performance. However, our fear we express is
that this would mandate the coaching opportunities and not
guarantee quality coaching interactions between executives and
others. We believe coaching is easier and more worth while for
executives when they are provided with one-on-one help in how to
coach. We are suggesting a coaching-the coach relationship
similar to the one-on-one help executives receive in public
speaking, press relations, financial matters, or other skills
that are not automatic. A coaching-the-coach approach can help
executives in fulfilling the coaching role, instead of just
adding a new item to their job descriptions.
The coach can be someone from HR, as long as he or she doesn't
take on the actual coaching responsibility. It can also be a
peer or an external person. Although not exclusive, here are
types of help a coach can provide the executive:
* Undertake a confidential review of each of the executive's
direct reports to ascertain their strengths, weaknesses, and
potential.
* Observe actual coaching discussions or team meetings and
provide the executive with feedback and development improvement
plans.
* Role play a challenging conversation that the executive is
facing.
Executive
Coaching will give executives the skills to fulfill their
coaching responsibilities and assist. Making coaching easier and
worthwhile for executives is what coaching-the-coach is all
about.