Executive Coaching is a topic that interests many leaders who I meet at networking events.  They always ask about benefits for either themselves or their team members. Their eyes start to brighten the moment they hear that Executive Coaching saves time!

Debra Levantrosser, hostess of The Leaning Edge Radio Show from MI Business Network invited me to speak on “Revealing Blind Spots with Lean Strategy.”  You will find more information about Debra and all the great things that MI Business Network does at the end of this article.

Listen to this link which takes you directly to the radio show:  Executive Coaching Saves Time for Leaders.

Executive Coaching Strategy #1:  What is Executive Coaching?

The main idea is for the coach to ask specific and focused questions and listen to the client who already has answers to the challenge.  Clients answer the questions.  They are thrilled when they hear their brilliance revealed on their own.  Learning new awareness saves time for the client because professional development creates positive change in the workplace.  

Executive Coaching Strategy #2:  Conducting a 360 review

This strategy is one that clients appreciate because they get solid results and positive change which will enhance the work environment.  I interview the client’s boss, colleagues, direct reports, and even customers.  They are asked questions on how the client can improve communication and the strengths of the person’s leadership.  This research is shared with the client even though no one knows who gave the statements. 

This information can help with the stability of the organization.  There is engagement from all levels of employees which creates the development of new ideas on saving time and money.

The 360 is powerful because we have data to move forward and plan how the client can take this information to grow professionally.  It helps when the coach’s communication skills are strong especially when sharing constructive feedback in a positive way.  The client needs to digest the information especially blind spots which he or she was not aware of before the 360.  Powerful stuff!

Executive Coaching Strategy #3:  The Importance of Revealing Blind Spots

Clients learn behavior about themselves such as:

• Constantly interrupting others
• Communicating with a low voice and not taken seriously
• Micromanaging a team
• Closed body language showing disinterest or defensive behavior
• Conducting poor meetings that people resented (ouch)

When the blind spots are revealed we can set goals on how to change these patterns.  Once clients are aware of their blind spots they can start to coach their direct reports to find their own hidden areas.  The client becomes the coach.  This is a great goal to reach and will save time by communicating how these changes can improve the workflow and productivity.

Executive Coaching Strategy #4:  Looking for Patterns

This is an important key during the Executive Coaching session.  The idea is for the client to discover negative patterns and start breaking them one step at a time.  I worked with my coach, Terry Brock, MBA, CSP, CPAE-
Social Media Marketing Keynote Speaker | Speaker Hall of Fame | Co-Author,”Klout Matters”.

We had to discover why my promotional videos were not representing my high energy and direct personality.  Terry helped me discover a pattern that I didn’t see.  I was speaking loudly into the microphone and it sounded like I was yelling at the webcam and the people watching the video.  This is NOT a good thing since most of the Executive Coaches want to sound like caring and bold individuals.  Once I lowered my decibels, the real me was revealed and I didn’t sound mad or mean!  As you can see, I believe in Executive Coaching and walk my talk!

Executive Coaching Strategy #5:  Clients Need to Want Coaching

This is mandatory and I share this strategy with coaches during the train the trainer workshops.  People need to have the commitment to stretch their learning curve and be ready to have tough conversations with their Executive Coach.  Clients must make time for the process because patterns are not changed right away.  It takes constant practice.  I know all about this because it has taken me a LONG time to break my pattern yelling into a microphone.   

Here’s More About the Leaning Edge

The Leaning Edge, hosted by Debra Levantrosser, speaks with leaders, implementers, and believers in the lean philosophy to share their successes and struggles in hopes that they will help others in their lean journey.

The show focuses on the fact that lean is a mindset and a culture, not a set of process improvement tools, and shows how this approach can make your city, state and country an even stronger and more successful, stable place one organization at a time and one person at a time.

The “Lean” philosophy refers to engaging and involving all levels of employees in the development of ideas to provide value to customers by aiming for high quality, low cost and short lead time. A specific kind of leadership style is seen in successful lean organizations which include rewarding experimentation and developing people into problem solvers.

I want to hear from you

Send me your questions or comments on what has worked with your own Executive Coaching experience.  How has it helped you save time and move forward in your career?

This is Joyce Weiss, Communications Strategist and Coach

Until next time, Remember…”You Get What You Tolerate!”

PS Learn how Joyce Weiss can leverage her 30+ years of communication and leadership consulting and coaching experience to help your organization address executive coaching strategies here.