DEVELOPING LEADERS

THROUGH EXECUTIVE

COACHING

Tanner Company LLC

36 South State Street, Suite 6 Salt Lake City, UTAH 84111

(801) 532-7444

Developing Leaders Through Executive Coaching

Athletes need coaches not because they lack the ability or talent. For the most part,

coaches allow them to see a much bigger picture and help them focus their efforts on things

that really matter. Business leaders need similar guidance or assistance to stay on top of

their game.

Coaching Then and Now

Executive coaching was a popular way for developing emotional intelligence in senior

leaders before the financial crisis. The investment, however, naturally dropped during the

past difficult years.

It recently returned on the agenda to develop people’s soft skills such as empathy,

self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. While the use of coaching has already been around

in the 80s, it is only now that businesses are starting to understand its potential. Coaching

gives leaders a competitive edge in a competitive business environment.

The Right Fit

While there are many uses of executive coaching, it is mostly helpful in

transitioning or helping recently promoted employees prepare for their new roles

and responsibilities. The Forbes Magazine notes that it should only be reserved for

people who are important to a company’s success. This means C-level employees,

functional wizards, and heads of major business units.

Those with high potential or individuals identified as having real talent can

also benefit from executive coaching. Coaching can help accelerate their personal

development within a company or organization. It can also support transformative

business programs to make sure that leadership can keep up with the pace.

Desire to Learn

It is important to keep in mind, however, that coaching will only be

successful if leaders have a desire to learn and grow. It is not advisable to hire a

coach to fix personal or behavioral problems. The right match is also one key to the

success of the whole coaching experience. Leaders should also not engage in

someone based on reputation without making sure that the choice is appropriate.

While executive coaching is truly helpful in developing leaders, it is best to

make sure that the conditions are right. It can only be a profitable investment if the

organization is ready to support a person’s effort to grow and change. Be sure to

make better decisions about who is most likely to benefit from it and who is not.

RESOURCES:

http://www.tannerco.com

https://hbr.org/2009/01/what-can-coaches-do-for-you

http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/04/need-executive-consultant-

ceonetwork-leadership-coach.html