Frequently Asked Questions

---

The goal of an executive coach is to help leaders reach their professional goals, overcome ongoing struggles, and ultimately set them up for success in the future. So, what exactly will an executive coach do to make this happen? Executive coaches will:

• Provide a confidential, non-judgemental safe space for you to talk openly
• Act as a sounding board
• Provide unbiased, constructive feedback
• With you, assess and identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement
• Encourage self-awareness
• Help you identify a personal development plan to achieve your goals
• Provide motivation and encouragement
• Address blind spots and self-limiting beliefs and behaviors
• Help you to navigate tough decisions and difficult conversations
• Hold leaders accountable for their goals
• Offer positive support during a professional transition

The answer can not be specific since it depends on you and the complexity of your needs, your goals, your engagement in the process and your availability. It is something we may establish during our first meeting.

Professional executive coaching can be transformational for leaders, and in turn, to the coherence, motivation and wellbeing of staff.

Widespread research conducted by CollectivED at Leeds Beckett University, Jan 2020, clearly outlines the impact of leadership coaching in Schools which includes:

• Gaining a greater sense of work life balance and being provided with emotional support.
• Building resilience to face the range of challenges while maintaining wellbeing.
• Gaining confidence in their leadership role.
• Improvements in working relationships whilst helping better develop other staff.
• Developing their ability to be reflective and drill down to specifics of challenges.
• Support with problem solving and coping with continuing demands of the job.
• Improved ability to manage difficult issues and people by gaining new perspectives.
• Thinking more strategically and having time to prioritise the issues that need resolving.
• More clearly recognising the importance of children’s learning and wellbeing.
• Seeing the value in making time for oneself to be able to focus on what is required.
• Understanding and living by one’s own values and clearer vision of my own leadership.

Being coached can be an emotional and at times, a challenging experience. It is important then that you work with someone who you feel you relate to, trust and 'like'! There are a number of factors worth considering:

Education and accreditation

What type of training has the coach had and is it affiliated to the ICF (International Coaching Federation), which confirms the coach has met specific standards and that they agree to adhere to strict ethical guidelines, both of which are essential to a successful executive coaching engagement.

Experience

What real-world experience do they have? Have they personally held a position in senior leadership? Are they knowledgeable about your area of expertise? (Note: An executive coach does not need to have sector-specific knowledge, it is the quality of coaching that is important. However, you may feel that direct experience would be beneficial) Have they worked with clients in the past with similar goals and needs? If they have the experience you’re looking for, this will make it that much easier for them to understand you and make the coaching they provide relevant to your day-to-day life.

Approach

Every professional coach will have a slightly different approach depending on your goals, challenges, and experience. So, you want to ask about this as you select a coach to ensure it aligns with your expectations and needs.

Personality

When selecting an executive coach, do not underestimate the importance of finding someone you really get on with. So, before signing anything, ask to meet briefly with the coach(es) you are considering in order to get a feel for each other. You will know you’ve found the right match when the conversation flows freely and you feel like they would provide a safe and trusting space where you can be honest and candid.