In many major companies in Toronto, executive coaching plays a fundamental role in the development of organizational leaders. It’s a form of leadership development that is focused on learning rather than training. The executive coach facilitates and encourages the executive to learn how to identify problems, work out solutions to the problems, apply the solutions and review the results of decisions that were applied.



Who Needs Executive Coaching?



Many companies in Toronto recognize the need for their management executives to increase their expertise and resources in order to continue to be highly effective in the organization. They believe that one-on-one coaching with an objective third party can provide members of their executive team with the strategic agility to help the company survive, thrive and grow in today’s highly competitive environment.



Coaching can be used by business owners and middle-level and high-level corporate executives in many ways, including:



Provide focus to address a specific problem area or challenge

Provide adequate support to enable personal development and career development in congruence with company goals

Identify and monitor key trends that have an impact on your industry

To identify and prioritize developmental needs of high-potential individuals that can be future leaders of the organization

Support the development of newly promoted managers

Provide enhanced ability for strategic thinking in the face of changing business realities

To correct behavioral problems at the management level

To help leaders resolve interpersonal conflicts among employees





Executive Coaching Process



Coaching an executive goes beyond the need to correct problem behaviors or to straighten out poor performance issues. The process also involves self development and enhancing executive-level skills for the benefit of the organization.



A typical executive coaching session goes like this:



Discovery phase or initial consultation to identify Pre-coaching needs

Establish a coaching agreement

Data gathering, usually a 360 process, plus individual debriefing sessions

Planning and Goal setting

Coaching sessions

Review and assessment of outcomes

Transitioning to long-term development





Coaching sessions happen in “real time.” The leader or executive goes through each session within the context of his current job while maintaining his day-to-day responsibilities at the same time.



What Methods Are Used In Executive Coaching?



Techniques used in executive coaching differ from other group training methods because the program is tailored to the needs of the individual executive. It takes into account his personal experiences, leadership style and preferences in alignment with his leadership role and responsibilities in the organization. Coaching will hone in on skill building, performance improvement, behavioral change, development for future leadership responsibilities, and leveraging key resources to maximum advantage in order to achieve organizational effectiveness.



Coaching techniques can include a combination of:



Problem solving

Developmental planning

Rehearsal and on-the-job practice

Feedback and debriefing

Dialogue

Clarification of roles, assumptions, and priorities

Teaching

Accountability

Referencing other developmental resources



How Long Do Coaching Contracts Last?



One-on-one coaching sessions are formally initiated with a coaching agreement or letter of engagement between the coach and the person being coached. This coaching contract outlines the goals and expectations that are agreed by both. The contract will last depending on the number of sessions agreed upon, which is largely dependent on the goals that are established. Typically, an executive coach is retained for twelve to eighteen months which is the ideal length of time to work on goals, measure progress, and incorporate methods for long term development.

