Sunday, June 2, 2013

Finding a Good Corporate Executive Coach in 6 Easy Steps


Whether you wish to develop effective collaborative relationships within your organization or are looking forward to refine your social skills, a corporate executive coach can help. Here’s how to find a good one:
  • Obtain as much information as you can: Find out what kind of people they usually work with. Also determine if they are qualified enough to help you achieve the desired results. Asking them about their approach is also highly recommended. A free consultation should tell you more about them.
  • Ask questions and don’t hesitate: During the no-risk trial consultation, ask them as many questions as you like. The idea is to get familiar with what they can do and what you may be able to achieve over the next few sessions.
  • Find out how they coach: Look for someone who offers over-the-phone coaching and can save your time. Also find out more about their coaching methodology.
  • Read about them: How much experience do they have? What type of goals do they usually work on? Have they held any leadership positions in the past? Do they have a clear understanding of the corporate culture? To find the answers to these questions, all you need to do is to read the bio, which is usually available online.
  • Discuss your expectations: It’s always better to tell them upfront what you expect. For instance, if you wish to improve the work-life balance, the coach must know that is where you lack. Similarly, if you are looking for a corporate executive coach to ensure that you start making better decisions, tell them that you would like them to work on your decision making abilities.
  • Look at the success stories: While the first session is likely to help you decide if you have found a good coach, it is also recommended that you look at some of the success stories. These stories clear the doubts, if any.