How Leaders and Business Owners Climb Higher with Executive Coaching
Most people believe that Executive Coaching is limited to the C-Suite but that’s not true any more. Today the term Executive Coaching has broadened to include the method of coaching not just the title of the person being coached. Now, we’re seeing more coaching of emerging leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs. Using the same principles that I use with executives proves very valuable for the other groups as well. Before we delve deeper into the why of this, let’s first define Executive Coaching.
What is Executive Coaching
Executive or Business Coaching helps individuals go from where they are, to where they want themselves and their company to be. The client sets and commits to specific goals, with the agreement that the coach will assist them and hold them accountable.
Winners Seek Coaching
While many people automatically assume that coaching is for those who might not be achieving at their best level, that’s simply not the case. The people I work with are winning both personally and professionally. Often, they are the ones everyone looks at and thinks, “They’re doing an amazing job.”
How Coaching Helps
The difference is that my clients know they could do better and they have a strong desire to rise higher. We set SMART Goals and work together to make those a reality. I help them make adjustments that provide the boost they need to climb higher. Most of the time it’s shifting their beliefs, patterns or behaviors that gets them the results they want. I’m not talking about major differences here; I’m really referring to minor strategic shifts that offer maximum benefits.
Women Know What They Want
Let me give you a common example of what I find with executive women. They have a strong desire to advance, either in their current company or at another. They know what level they want and they are well prepared for it. When the position becomes available, for numerous reasons, they DON’T go for it. Even though they are qualified and they can do the job, they sit on the sidelines and watch others often less qualified move ahead.
Why Aren’t They Getting It?
Women traditionally choose not to go for a job they want because they don’t believe they are fully qualified for it. If the job description lists ten required skills and the woman has seven of them, she decides that it’s out of her league. However, if a man has three out of ten on the list, he’ll go for it. Usually, the man will get the job because he’s confident and focuses heavily on the skills that he does have. The same is true of women business owners. Unless they are a perfect fit for the client or customer they decide to opt out of the bid. They choose instead to search for companies that are more in need of their strengths, not realizing they could hire or partner with the talent they need to get the job done.
Competence versus Confidence
I rarely find that it’s a competence issue. I almost always find that it’s a confidence issue. Assessments can help provide an objective analysis of one’s key strengths as well as identify one’s blind spots. They can help women see themselves in a more accurate light, thus helping them boost their ego a bit. I feel that sometimes women need a little more prodding, a little more pushing to move themselves forward, and I think that’s where coaching can really help.
Often just having a trained professional review the job description or request for proposal (RFP) with them is helpful. I help my clients shift the way they look at the requirements. Instead I have them see it more like a wish list. This takes some of the pressure off. It also gives the candidate an opportunity to see how they could offer their skills, talents and experience to the position. Beyond just filling the position my clients are also able to determine their worth and climb higher in the process.
To reward my readers and give them a leg up, this month I’m offering a complimentary 30-Minute Coach ChatTM with me. There’s no time like the present to get some advice that could impact your bottom line and increase your chances of advancement. After all, as women, we’re in this together!
- Posted by Regina
- On May 10, 2018
- 0 Comments