Hiring an executive leadership coach is an investment for any leader, and it’s natural that you would want to get the most out of this investment. However, without proper preparation, the coaching process can stall before it even begins. To set the stage for success, here are a few things a leader should do after hiring an executive coach:
Establish realistic goals: As a leader, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve through the coaching experience. Establishing realistic goals will provide direction and focus for the coaching sessions, and will ensure that the coaching experience is tailored to your specific needs. Be clear about what areas you want to improve upon and what specific outcomes you want to achieve. Having well-defined goals will also help you measure the progress you make throughout the coaching process.
Become receptive to feedback: An executive coach is there to provide you with objective and honest feedback, which can be difficult to hear at times. However, it is essential to be open-minded and willing to take constructive criticism to make the most out of the coaching experience. Being receptive to feedback means being willing to listen, reflect on what is being said, and then take action to improve. It’s important to remember that feedback is a gift, and the more you can learn to accept and incorporate it into your leadership style, the more effective you will become as a leader.
Be open for guidance: Sometimes, even the most experienced leaders get stuck. If you’re having trouble achieving a particular goal, it’s okay to ask your coach for help. They are there to provide you with guidance, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. Achieving a particular goal can be challenging if you cannot figure out where the difficulty lies, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when you are having trouble. Any good executive coach will help you identify obstacles and figure out how to overcome them.
Trust the process: Some leaders may feel the need to have all the answers, but an executive coach comes with expertise and experience. Trusting the process and allowing the coach to guide you can lead to significant improvements in your leadership skills. Trusting the process means being willing to try new things, to experiment and to take risks. It also means being willing to let go of old habits and ways of thinking that may be holding you back. Remember, an executive coach is there to help you grow, and the only way to do that is to be open to change and to trust the process.
In conclusion, hiring an executive coach can work wonders, but it requires commitment and preparation from both parties. It’s important to remember that coaches are not magicians or miracle workers. Real progress and change can only occur with enthusiasm and effort from the leader.
Lead From Within: Hiring an executive coach may be easy, but the real work begins after the coach is hired. The actions and steps taken after the hiring process will determine the success of the coaching experience.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.