Resolve has been engaged in both Board and Executive leadership coaching. When considering a coach for your own leadership journey, here are some thoughts on what we think makes an effective coach:
Trustworthiness and Confidentiality
A coach should create a safe, confidential space where you feel comfortable sharing openly. They should respect your privacy and maintain strict confidentiality about what is discussed in coaching sessions.
Coaching is not mentoring
It's also important to remember you are a coach and not a mentor. Mentoring differs from coaching in one primary way – the responsibility for ownership, decision making, development and action clearly lies with the mentee not the mentor. Coaching tends to be guided by the coach.
Strong Communication Skills
Look for a coach with excellent listening skills who can ask powerful questions that provoke new insights and perspectives. They should be able to provide clear, articulate feedback and guidance.
Relevant Experience and Qualifications
An effective coach should have:
Relevant leadership and coaching experience to understand your context
An alignment with your belief system and values
Knowledge of leadership theories, organisational behaviour, and coaching methodologies
The coach should be able to understand your experiences and emotions, demonstrating high emotional intelligence and empathy.
The Coaching Process
Look for a coach who follows a structured process, including:
Initial assessment of your needs and goals
Development of a customized coaching plan
Regular sessions with clear objectives
Ongoing evaluation of progress
Challenging and Motivating
Have measurable outcomes
Be Goal-Oriented
An effective coach should:
Push you outside your comfort zone
Hold you accountable for your goals and commitments
Provide honest, constructive feedback
Coaching needs to be tailored to Your Needs
The coaching experience should be customised to your specific leadership challenges, goals, and learning style. The coaching should focus on achieving specific, measurable goals that align with your leadership development needs.
Look for a coach with a track record of helping clients achieve concrete improvements in their leadership skills and effectiveness. By considering these factors, you can find a leadership coaching experience that is both effective and tailored to your unique needs as a leader.
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