You're seeking success in executive coaching sessions. How can self-evaluation contribute to your growth?

As a coach, it is vital to foster an open and receptive mindset - one that is consistently focused on learning and exploring how different approaches, techniques, or aspects of a coaching session could potentially be enhanced. Whilst a healthy degree of self-assurance in one's coaching abilities is undoubtedly important, genuine self-development as a coach goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a constant "learner's radar" - a mindset attuned to identifying ways in which the coaching process can be carried out more effectively or which tools can be utilised for the benefit of the coachee.

In my executive coaching, self-evaluation is pivotal for growth. It fosters self-awareness, allowing you to recognize personal and professional strengths and areas for improvement. Begin by setting clear, measurable goals for what you wish to achieve through coaching. Regularly reflect on your progress and setbacks by journaling or using feedback tools, adjusting strategies as needed. Discuss these insights during your sessions to refine your approach and deepen your learning. Self-evaluation not only enhances your development but also empowers you to take ownership of your growth, making coaching sessions more focused and productive. Self adjustment keeps you a current leadership coach for executives!

The Basics: Self-evaluation involves regularly assessing your skills, behaviors, and progress. By identifying strengths and areas for improvement, you set a foundation for continuous growth. This proactive approach helps you stay aligned with your goals and adapt to new challenges.

Step 1 for me is always my mindset around self-evaluation. When you work anyone else, there are always bi-annual or quarterly reviews. Evaluations date back to our elementary or higher education days. They are not anything new or unfamiliar. They help us create goals and [measurable] pathways toward those goals. How else would you know if you're on track or if you need help? Self-evaluations are gifts to yourself. They are not a means of judging yourself, but rather a way to be objective about your abilities and business goals, increasing your own self-awareness. Without this mindset, the self-evaluations can't be as effective as intended.

The first concept we learned in coaching is that if you want to be successful, you must experience in others every tool you experience in yourself. All of Jung's books, even his most famous Red Book, describe the processes he experienced in himself. Therefore, every manager who has knowledge and awareness about himself/herself can only be successful in internal coaching.

In my experience it is most valuable, and time-saving, to take reflection time in connection with activities. I always take a few minutes before and after each coaching session and recommend my clients to take a few minutes, it doesn't take many, before and after each coaching session. I also ask them what differences it would make if they put ten minutes between each meeting they have, instead of having them back to back.

Reflection Time: Taking dedicated time to reflect on your coaching experiences allows you to internalize lessons learned and recognize patterns in your behavior. Reflection deepens your understanding of your actions and their impacts, leading to more informed decisions and strategies moving forward.

Feedback Loop: Incorporating feedback from your coach and peers into your self-evaluation process creates a dynamic feedback loop. This continuous exchange of insights helps you refine your approaches and adjust your strategies effectively. It ensures that you are responsive to both external input and your internal growth objectives, fostering a well-rounded development. By integrating these self-evaluation practices into your executive coaching sessions, you can significantly enhance your growth and success.

You can gather feedback from clients and peers on an on-going basis. Place the feedback in a folder. Reference it when you do your evaluation, mimicking a 360. To get more specific and control the variables, create a feedback form for folks to complete. This way, you measure feedback and change over time via consistent data points.

Self-evaluation offers more than just goal-setting. It's a “Holistic Mirror" reflecting our deeper aspirations and unconscious biases. Engaging in Spiritual Intelligence allows us to connect these goals with a broader sense of purpose. Imagine aligning your professional targets with your spiritual values. This alignment doesn't just motivate; it transforms. It makes the journey toward success a soulful endeavor where every step is meaningful. Reflecting periodically can reveal hidden strengths and blind spots, enriching the executive coaching experience and making growth not just a pursuit but a fulfilling adventure.

Creating action plans is essential, but I find that incorporating Spiritual Intelligence brings a deeper dimension to growth. While practical steps are crucial, understanding our purpose and aligning actions with core values can lead to more meaningful progress. For instance, improving team communication isn't just a task; it's about fostering genuine connections and trust. Reflect on how your spiritual beliefs and values can guide these improvements. This “Holistic Approach" can transform simple action plans into profound pathways for growth, making our Executive Coaching and Executive Spiritual Coaching Sessions not just successful, but truly fulfilling.

By regularly assessing your performance and the impact of your coaching techniques, you can identify strengths to leverage and areas needing enhancement. Use structured feedback from clients and reflect on session outcomes to gain insights into your effectiveness. Implement changes based on this feedback, experimenting with new approaches to refine your skills further. Keeping a reflective journal can help track your progress and ensure you’re learning from each coaching experience. And remember, self-evaluation is like a mirror – it helps you see what needs a touch-up. Or, as I like to say, "Think of self-evaluation like updating your software – it keeps you running smoothly and avoids those dreaded ‘system errors’!"