What is executive/leadership development coaching?

Executive/Leadership Development coaching is the development of a leader through an ongoing relationship between a professional coach and the client. The goal of the relationship is to enhance the client's leadership or management performance and development. Coaching uses a process of dialogue and questioning to build the client’s level of awareness and responsibility. Common themes in executive coaching are developing key executive and managerial skills, enhancing teambuilding, leadership qualities, character development, optimizing the use of key strengths, identifying opportunities of growth, and building the competencies of emotional intelligence.

What should I look for when selecting an executive/leadership development coach?

1. Connection - it is important that when you choose a coach that you should sense a level of rapport. You want to be able to be as authentic as possible in the sessions. 2. ICF Certification – many people call themselves coaches out there. Make sure that they have training and credentials that have qualified them to do coaching and maintain their professional development to retain their credentials. 3. Experience - ask your coach of the type of work that they have done within the leadership and development field.

How long does the coaching engagement last?

A coaching engagement will have 9 to 24 hours of coaching over the course of 3 months to a year. Changes does not happen overnight. Thus, for real impact to occur, time and buy-in from the leader is needed to observe the changes.

How often do I meet with my executive/leadership development coach?

Usually, the meetings are twice a month and last for approximately 1 to 2 hours max. Toward the end of the engagement, the cadence of the meetings may change.

What questions should I ask a prospective coach?

The ICF (International Coach Federation) recommends asking the following questions: 1. What is your coaching experience - number of individuals coached, years of experience, types of coaching situations, etc.? 2. What is your coach specific training - Enrolled in an ICF approved training program, other coach specific training, etc.? 3. What is your coaching specialty or areas in which you most often work? 4. What types of businesses do you work with most often? And, at what levels; executive, upper management, middle management, etc.? 5. What is your philosophy about coaching? 6. What are some of your coaching success stories? 7. Are you a member of ICF? Do you hold an ICF credential?

Why should I choose an ICF credential coach?

When a coach has membership with the governing body of this profession, International Coach Federation (ICF), it allows for the following:

• Measures and certifies competency of individuals through certification
• Supports pursuit of continuous development within the profession
• Protects and serves consumers of coaching services through the ethical standards

How do I determine success in a coaching process?

Coaching success is determined through the goals that are developed and associated with the engagement. In addition, the coach, the client and their leader have kick-off and mid-point sessions to discuss progress. This is done if the client has been hired by the business or organization for the coaching engagement. During the last meeting, feedback is shared by the client to their leader on overall progress and next steps.

Why would a company hire an executive/leadership development coach?

When a company hires a coach, they are deciding to invest in the growth and development of their management. Often, it is to provide support in a leadership transition, enhance a career promotion, retain high-potential leaders, and sometimes to correct a performance/behavior issue.

How can I be sure my coach knows my industry?

Your coach may not know your industry. You come into the coaching engagement as the expert in your field. The coach brings in the expertise around the coaching processes that supports leadership challenges regardless of the industry you are in. If you hire a consultant, then you need to be sure that he/she knows your industry.

Does coaching really work?

Forbes shared a statistic from the Institute of Coaching that cited over “70% of individuals who receive coaching benefited from improved work performance, relationships and more effective communication skills.” The Forbes article went on to share that coaching facilitated changes personally AND in relationship to others.

How much does the average coaching program cost?

This is an investment in you. And it is based on the time and scope of the engagement. On average the cost can range from $300 up to $600/hour working with Coach Sheeba.

What other services do you provide?

In addition to executive coaching, other services that are also provided are the following: leadership development training, mentoring, team building, 360 evaluations, Leadership Essentials workshops and webinars.