Coaching can take place in many forms, but there are three main forms:

• External: External coaches are not employed by the company they are providing coaching for. In this case, the executives are usually receiving the coaching. The focus is often on modifying behaviors and habits. This coaching can last from 1 to 2 years. Advantages: Coaches have a wider perspective from companies in related and unrelated fields, these coaches are not influenced by the company’s politics, they also have the distance to ask fundamental questions without making assumptions. Disadvantages: Not knowing the history of the culture of the organization from the inside.
• Internal: People employed by the company they coach for. Many organizations take proven leaders with emotional intelligence and a passion for people and send them to become professionally trained coaches. They often focus on the levels of director and below ensuring there is not a conflict of interests in the topics executives are raising. Advantage: Already knowing the culture in the organization and being respected by their peers.
• Leaders with coaching skills: Leaders who have some professional coach training and use their skills as part of their role vs conducting formal coaching engagement. Advantages: The benefits of coaching are reflected in everyday interactions. Disadvantage: Leaders have to have experience coaching themselves to really get it and avoid leaning towards “advising”. The formal aspect of coaching is missing.

 

Fieldwork this week: The Coaching Agreement is much like a contract where the coach and the client agree to a topic, the desired outcome, and the coach asks questions based on what the client has offered that help them arrive at that outcome. The client determines what the agenda will be.  Try to have an agreement for each meeting you have this week.

 

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Coach Culture: A Playbook for Winning in Business, Shawna Corden

 

Quotes:

“Coaching is a champion problem-solver, it accelerates change with action aligned with purpose.”

 

Have a question for me? Email me: [email protected]

My mission is to make work fun again by building better leaders. Find out more on my website: shawnacorden.com