Executive Coaching - FAQs

How is executive coaching different from other professional development and training programs?

The distinctive elements of executive coaching include:

• One-on-one relationship between the client and the coach.
• Formal contract between the client and the coach — and in most cases, the corporate sponsor — to set ground rules and expectations.
• Focus on improving business results through the improved management and/or leadership performance of the client.
• Use of the workplace as the setting for trying new behaviors and ways of relating to colleagues.

How can executive coaching help me?

With the right motivation, commitment and coach, you can get the bottom-line results you want. You’ll become a stronger leader and manager — driving strategy in your organization, building a cohesive team, influencing others around common goals, delivering projects as planned and getting the professional recognition and gratification you seek.

Why should I choose Eileen as my executive coach?

Coaches come from many different backgrounds and experiences. Eileen brings her record of success as a strategic thinker, change agent and leader in complex organizations to the coaching process. Drawing on first-hand experience with business challenges, Eileen will help you develop leadership abilities and advance organizational goals.

How long does a typical coaching relationship last?

It takes time for coaching clients to discover new ways of seeing themselves and their challenges before adopting more effective behaviors. The coach guides clients as they practice new behaviors until they become a natural part of their daily routine. This transformation typically takes about six months although some coaching assignments may be shorter or longer.

How is information about the coaching process shared?

Mutual respect and open communications between client and coach are crucial to success. Eileen and clients agree upfront on how information will be shared with the sponsor or other individuals involved in the coaching assignment. Clients are encouraged to be transparent with corporate sponsors about their goals, targeted growth opportunities and progress.

How does the coaching arrangement begin?

As the client-coach partnership begins, Eileen does an initial assessment using tools such as personality profiles and 360-degree feedback. The assessment provides baseline information on the client’s behavior and decision-making preferences and patterns, management styles and ways of interacting with others. It also identifies what major stakeholders expect the client to accomplish.

Is there a road map for the coaching process?

Starting with the assessment findings and their own desired outcomes, clients work with Eileen to create a development plan that identifies strengths to build on and development needs to address. The plan is rooted in the client’s current activities and projects. With her expertise as a catalyst in the change process, Eileen suggests ways the client can introduce new behaviors into daily activities.

Plan elements include:

• Overall objective — what the client wants to achieve.
• Focus areas — where the client wants to concentrate efforts to achieve the objective.
• Behaviors — what the client will do differently.
• Learning activities — ways the client will practice specific behaviors until they become comfortable.

How often does Eileen meet with clients?

Coaching sessions — lasting about one hour — typically take place weekly, either in-person or over the phone. These scheduled meetings are supplemented with telephone conversations and email, as needed, to discuss fast-breaking issues or other topics.

How can coaching success be measured?

The true measure of success is the client’s improved performance in achieving organizational or business goals. This improved performance should continue after the coaching assignment ends. To ensure long-lasting success, Eileen helps clients increase self-awareness, learn more effective ways to carry out their responsibilities and relate to others, and lay the groundwork for continued growth into the future. Feedback from colleagues and sponsors validates the results of the coaching.

What is the ROI for corporate sponsors?

By investing in coaching for a valued executive, sponsors are rewarded with a more effective leader who moves the organization toward its business goals. Transformational leaders are being called upon to create and communicate a vision, foster collaboration across organizational lines and motivate individuals to work together toward a common goal — whether they work in a for-profit or nonprofit organization. Executive coaching is an important resource in developing these outstanding leaders.

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