How can you use your past experience to excel in an executive coaching career?

When I retired from employed status in corporate life in 2002 the last thing on my radar was to be a paid coach or mentor. I became a management consultant to keep my brain active and it was during those contracts I observed the management had chosen the simple, more expensive and expedient route. What was desperately needed was a sustainable, efficient and effective intervention? I then brought my years in Joint Venture negotiations to marginally change what I was doing as a consultant and started to coach and mentor the existing team. It's a transition I enjoyed and today only coach and mentor. Plus it's easier to be a consultant first, doing what youre good at and slip in a bit of coaching along the way.

My extensive global experience spanning eight countries has been instrumental in shaping my approach to executive coaching. Drawing from this background, I leverage cross-cultural understanding and empathy to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds effectively. My firsthand experience navigating complex business environments enables me to provide practical and relevant advice tailored to the unique challenges executives face. Overall, my past working experience serves as a rich foundation for excelling in executive coaching, offering diverse perspectives, practical wisdom, and a deep understanding of the complexities of leadership in today's VUCA world.

Leaders who have good communication skills - especially active curiosity about others, good listening, clear playback - may find that they excel at coaching. One of the more challenging transitions for successful leaders is that executives are comfortable advising and directing. If problem-solving is your superpower, you will have to redirect, channeling the urge to 'tell' into powerful questions that help your clients think differently. As you build capacity in your clients to solve their own problems, your reputation as a coach will grow.

Don't mix up the role of a coach, supporting your clients to overcome current challenges, with the role of being a better expert than your client is (or should be). Good coaching builds on your understanding and empathy while working with and listening to your clients, having the confidence, that the challenge of your clients will have a solution, and leading your clients with the right tools to their solution of the problem. Most important is, that you work on your attitude and on the coaching toolset - but the suggested "strategic planning" from the article is something, what your client can do as executive anyhow (of for what she/he has the right experts).

It all started with a tragedy. My client's heir was a young man of 20 years old. 24 years ago I put all my effort into making that young man CEO and a great person. That's how everything turned out well. He is CEO and an excellent person. My first steps to becoming an executive coach was to develop a technique called transfer of experiences. The skills that I had developed myself as CFO and CEO in my executive roles could be applied to executive coaching, conflict resolution, leadership, empathy and innovation. I was able to use these skills and those of a consultant for large companies, to establish relationships with clients, developing active listening, providing foundations and arguments to facilitate training.

Showcasing credibility comes in several layers. Fundamentally, one should be able to articulate ones journey - need not necessarily be stellar (though that would help). The whole point is that Coaching is about reflection and how that showcases as your ability is a huge plus. A valid credential like ICF is a booster. An array of experiences in coaching diverse clientele helps as you focus on your niche and showcase mettle. The word in the market (testimonials and grapevine) should talk about the brand you choose to build and not just chasing money. Continuous learning / research / publishing is another bonus. And then, the power of compounding! Watch as things build up for you.

Thinking about executive coaching? Your past experience is a goldmine! a) Share past wins: Did you lead a successful team? Increased efficiency? Highlight these to show how you can help executives achieve similar results. b) Find your niche: Connect your skills to specific executive challenges. Marketing? Help leaders build their brand. c) Speak their language: Know business terms. Show you understand the executive landscape. By leveraging your experience, you can build trust with potential clients.

There's a good chance that if you picked a niche that you have expertise in, other people in your community may want to hire you if they knew you were available. To get broader exposure, start sharing your knowledge. And don't be reserved about it thinking that you're giving away too much. By sharing social posts, video clips, newsletters, templates, and other tools, you increase your brand awareness. Another powerful technique is to partner with a company whose customer base comprises your target market. As long as your partner doesn't offer a competing service, you can do a joint webinar or livestream to share your knowledge with their customers, which helps them foster their community. That exposure can drive more business for you.

Drawing from my extensive background and experience in leadership roles, I bring firsthand insights into the challenges executives face. My journey has equipped me with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, effective communication strategies, and the importance of fostering a growth mindset. By leveraging these experiences, I tailor coaching sessions to address the individual specific needs of my team, guiding them towards transformative leadership and personal growth. My past successes and failures serve as valuable lessons, enriching the coaching process and empowering executives to excel in their roles.