How do you adjust your coaching style for different markets?

Executive coaching requires "cross-cultural" skills. The culture of a B2B SAAS Technology firm is different than a Private Equity firm. Awareness of the organizations's mission, the culture they have built (even though it may be unhealthy) and the shared traits of the leadership team are core to nimble executive coaching.

You can say one thing to one client and they love it. You can say the same thing to another, and they fire you. Being Culture-sensitive and people-sensitive is extremely important.

To adjust your coaching style effectively, thorough research on industry trends, challenges, and cultural norms is crucial. Tailor your interventions to align with clients' goals, needs, preferences, and context, ensuring relevance and maximizing the impact of your coaching efforts. In short, do your research. Just as you would research the norms of another place you’re visiting, apply the same approach. The last thing you want is the first words out of your mouth being the last ones spoken.

An often overlooked aspect to look at is “norms” aka what is currently important in the context of the client. So not only goals, as in what they want to achieve but also what is considered good in their current environment & and what they find important (e.g. driving results vs providing an outstanding customer experience vs being the best colleague).

For some people, I am straightforward. Some, I hold back a bit. I will take things slowly. At the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s what works best for the person I am coaching.

The biggest mistake I see with coaches everyday is sticking to one style, method or tool and never attempt anything new. Coaching by nature is not linear and requires an incredible amount of fluidity and flexibility. This means always learning new ideas and approaches to how coaching can support your clients. Here’s the honest truth: your studying and background isn’t what makes you a great coach, maybe a good one but not great. Tue greatness comes from within you and bringing your own curiosity and intuition to your client engagements. It doesn’t matter if you studied with Tony a Robbins or Baskin Robins - what matters is how you (the coach) bring your teachings and your own self to your client. Don’t be a one trick pony or you won’t last

I am a huge proponent of getting feedback on yourself and how your client is doing along their coaching journey. What I do and recommend to my clients who are professional coaches is to simply ask and check in at the end of every session. Want to know if they created value? Ask. Want to know if they are applying the work? Ask. Never assume they “got it” and never mistake a string of great sessions as simply you are on a roll. Think of the basic A-B-C’s of coach = Always Be Curious. If you remember this, you will never assume nor be surprised should a coachee suddenly decide to quit you as a coach or end the engagement.

A stagnant coach is a non-practicing coach. Let me explain (& reiterate what I mentioned above) - if you aren’t growing as a coach, your clients and your practice won’t grow. Transformation requires change and that means the coach must always be seeking out new ways to expand the reach, style and impact. It doesn’t take much to learn something new about yourself, your craft or your industry. Make the investment now and you will reap the rewards later.

I said this previously but it’s important to reiterate. If you want to remain coaching at a high level and have a thriving practice, you must work on yourself. And, if you are a professional certified coach (through an accredited program) you should have your own coach. If you don’t have one then you shouldn’t be coaching. I know that will hit some hard but it’s not my rule, it’s the ICFs.

Knowing the markets is important, but knowing yourself is more important. The key to success on a given market is staying true to your values instead of adjusting to the toxic managerial styles that are accepted on certain markets or to the cultural characteristics that you don't support. Flexibility is only good when you don't cross your own boundaries.