Executive coaching is an excellent way to promote personal and professional development. With a high quality coach and an enthusiastic participant, the results can be measurable, noticeable and significant. Many people wonder what actually happens during the executive coaching process, so we will outline the basic steps for you below.
Step 1 – The Introductory Discussion
This is perhaps the most important step in the whole coaching process. It establishes the coaching relationship and forms the foundation for all of the work to come. Just as essential, though, is the rapport that is established between the coach and the participant. The coaching relationship is highly personal and highly confidential so it is critical that the two parties be comfortable with each other and have a high degree of trust in each other.
The participant and the coach will have an in-depth discussions about goals, needs, areas of concern, and other specifics. Feedback tools such as 360° surveys, peer reviews and self-assessments are examined and evaluated for their fit with the participant’s needs. These discussions usually take place in sessions that can be up to two hours long at intervals ranging from weekly to monthly. The number of sessions will vary depending on the needs of the participant and the amount of money available to spend on coaching.
Not everybody makes it past the first step, because sometimes after the participant has a chance for an in-depth discussion with the coach, he or she determines that they are not ready to be fully engaged in the process for some reason. It may be due to a life situation, a work situation, or any number of other conflicts that would make it difficult to put their full energy toward the coaching experience. In cases such as this, it is usually best to postpone coaching until the participant is able to give it their full effort.
Step 2 – Where The Rubber Hits The Road
This is where the real work begins. Coach and participant use all of the information gathered during Step 1 to decide on specific actions and behaviors that the participant will start to use. At this stage, there may be significant discussions between the participant and coach, brainstorming, strategizing, role playing, feedback, discussion of actual experiences, challenges and approaches to enhancing personal and professional development.
Step 3 — Integration of Learning
This is the stage at which new behaviors, understanding, awareness and actions have become standard practice. The coach works with the participant to make sure changes and improvements become a way of life. They look for ways the changes impact the business or organization and reinforce what is working well. As the participant becomes more proficient and confident in his or her new abilities, the coaching relationship can conclude and regularly scheduled sessions are discontinued.
In most cases, though, the coach is still available to the participant in the future should he or she have questions, concerns, or simply need a sounding board for dealing with a specific situation.
