Tom
Tom Wiltzius, Ph.D.
Gail
Gail Wise, Ph.D.
 
The Executive Brief 
Vol.1, No.3
October 2013
 

Happy Halloween!
 
Executive/Leadership Coaching (Part 2)

 

In the last issue of The Executive Brief, we highlighted a perspective on coaching that many coaches and executives are reluctant to discuss: why executive want coaching and why they avoid it. (Previous issue). Yet coaching offers one of the highest ROIs of any service available to an organization (Executive Coaching for Results, Underhill, McAnally and Koriath, 2007.)

 

The conundrum executives seeking coaches often face is finding truly qualified coaches.  The attached article from The Alliance for Strategic Leadership may be of some help. (Coaching Implementation)

 

Among key factors that research seems to suggest are significant to finding an effective executive coach are:

  • Availability - many executives prefer coaches who are nearby geographically.
  • Accessibility - most executives prefer to meet face-to-face with their coach.
  • Responsiveness - most leaders prefer coaches with modest caseloads (10 or less).
  • Qualifications - many leaders prefer coaches who hold advanced degrees.
  • Experience - most executives prefer coaches who have had P&L experience.
  • Certification - most leaders expect coaches who hold assessment certifications.
  • Commitment - most leaders evaluate their coach for a "good fit."
Finding a Coach Doesn't Have to be Scary!
Questions to Ask a Potential Coach
 
  • How would you describe your coaching style? 
  • What is your area of specialty in coaching?
  • What expectations would you have of me?
  • How can we make sure that we get the best possible return on this investment?
  • How will we know if our relationship is not working?

 

The enVision View

 

Because of the recent awareness regarding the ROI of coaching and the expanded use of coaches by organizations, many individuals without appropriate competencies are pursuing the profession of leader/executive coaching. Since the coaching field is unregulated, organizations and individuals should be VERY careful when qualifying coaches for engagements.

 

Caveat emptor!  Literally, anyone today can hang out a sign claim to be an executive coach. A quick weekend workshop, for a nominal fee, can lead to a claim of certification as a coach, which can be extended to include further certification with coaching assessment tools with limited or dubious value.

 

The model executive coach is a specialist with strong credentials and experience, is probably located nearby, and maintains a modest caseload to insure access, availability, and commitment to those he or she coaches. They will hold an advanced degree in the behavioral sciences and business experience, or, an advanced degree in business, business experience, and specialized, highly disciplined training in coaching (no weekend wonders, please).

 

More on enVision Coaching

 

Email us your questions

 

LEADERSHIP SERIES
UW-Oshkosh MBA Program

We are excited to be guest speakers of the UW Oshkosh MBA Leadership Series for 2013-2014. 
These seminars give you the opportunity to learn while engaging with business professionals, entrepreneurs and executives in the Northeastern Wisconsin community.

360 FROM WITCHCRAFT TO REALITY
Webinar offered by Pilat

Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 10AM EDT / 9AM CDT / 3PM GMT

 

We are now coming out of a recession, and usage of 360 degree feedback is once again increasing. What lessons have we learned; where is usage going? How is this now being more effectively integrated into other HR processes?

 

Find out more!

 


Tom Wiltzius, Ph.D.
920.733.2120
  
Gail Wise, Ph.D.
920.573.0089
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