Benefits of Coaching
After years of paying your dues, climbing the corporate ladder, and volunteering for every opportunity (or challenge) that came your way, you’ve finally made it to the C-Suite. Congratulations! It’s time to roll up your sleeves and tackle your increased responsibilities as a newly minted executive. Some people might hint that you’d benefit from an executive coach, but do you really need one? What are the benefits of coaching?
After all, your hard work got you this far — and you’re about to work harder than ever. Do you have the time and energy to engage in executive coaching?
You’re definitely busy. But even the most capable leaders have room to grow, learn, and develop. If you’ve been balking at taking the plunge, here are four reasons why working with an executive coach is well worth the investment.
1. You’ll gain insight into past performance — and how you’re coming across at work.
We usually judge ourselves by our intentions. But others tend to judge us by actual observed behavior. Are your peers and direct reports giving you feedback on the results they see or the behaviors they experience? Unfortunately, our coworkers don’t always provide the kind of candid feedback that’s necessary for executive growth.
By combining executive coaching with a 360° survey and an executive assessment, you can gain a fuller picture of your strengths and obstacles — and how they’re perceived in the workplace.
2. You’ll acquire tools to address any problem behaviors.
No matter how successful you may be in your career, let’s face it: Everyone has room for improvement. But feedback and critique can sometimes feel like a personal attack.
It can be easier to address your areas for development when you’re working with an objective outsider. An executive coach is there to help you succeed — without bias or agenda.
3. You’ll increase your managerial effectiveness.
A third benefit of coaching is that you won’t just focus on your weaknesses. With an executive coach you’ll also develop strategies for capitalizing on your existing leadership abilities. When you understand how to leverage your strengths in the context of your new role, you’ll gain confidence and efficiency, improving productivity along the way.
And the changes don’t have to be monumental to be meaningful. As Anne Sugar writes, “it is the small tweaks and details that provide the most impact.” The right executive coach can help you identify simple, impactful behavioral adjustments that don’t take a lot of time to transform your work relationships.
4. You’ll find there’s a ripple effect.
As if the benefits to you, the executive, aren’t already worth it, there’s more. According to Nadine Grenier, “For every executive coached, hundreds of others are positively affected, including their manager, their peers, their direct reports, and those employees’ direct reports as well.”
Consider your executive coaching an investment that goes beyond your own development. It’ll pay dividends throughout the organization. When you model positive behaviors for your peers and direct reports, they will often improve their interactions with coworkers, too. You’ll be building the foundation for an organizational transformation that leads to increased trust, as well as improved communication and efficiency.
Take Advantage of Coaching Benefits Now
As a newly promoted executive, your time is more precious than ever. For the growth of the organization, every minute of your time must be accounted for. It can be tempting to put executive coaching on the back burner. However, working with the right executive coach can increase your efficiency, improve your communication, and boost organizational effectiveness.
Who can’t make time for benefits like that?
