What do you do if your executive coaching career lacks long-term success due to a lack of strategic thinking?

Then its clear you are in the wrong profession. If you cant improve your own coaching practice then how can you be a good coach:)

A mí me ha resultado fundamental formarme en Business Administration. Hice un MBA en IE Business School y una diplomatura en Estrategia Internacional en London Business School. Siendo como soy PhD en HR, Psicóloga Clínica y Executive Coach me parece fundamental tener experiencia que permita desarrollar el pensamiento estratégico implica cultivar habilidades como análisis crítico, anticipación de escenarios y toma de decisiones a largo plazo. Se puede fomentar a través de actividades como resolver problemas complejos, estudiar casos de estudio, y practicar la formulación y ejecución de planes. También es útil fomentar la creatividad y la capacidad de adaptación para pensar en soluciones innovadoras ante desafíos cambiantes.

Si tu carrera de coaching ejecutivo no tiene éxito a largo plazo debido a la falta de pensamiento estratégico, es clave realizar una autoevaluación exhaustiva. Reflexioná sobre tus habilidades, identificá tus fortalezas y áreas de mejora en cuanto al pensamiento estratégico. Analizá las razones detrás de la falta de éxito y evaluá cómo podrías mejorar tu enfoque estratégico en la práctica del coaching ejecutivo. Buscá oportunidades de desarrollo profesional y capacitación en estrategia y liderazgo, y considerá trabajar con mentores o consultores que te brinden orientación y apoyo en esta área. Al hacer una autoevaluación profunda y buscar oportunidades de mejora, vas a poder fortalecer tu carrera de coaching ejecutivo a largo plazo.

In running a community of coaches, I found that it's the norm for Executive Coaches to struggle in running their own practices. Many came from entrepreneurial backgrounds and/or professional careers. In those spaces, they had teams. In running their own solo practice, they have to fill 'all the seats' on their mini Org Chart. That's not easy. And, without considering an approach that works for you personally, many struggle to remain in a viable coaching practice. There are other paths to consider... - work for a company that hires coaches inhouse - buy into a franchise or membership model that teaches you what you need to know - double down and go for it, knowing you'll have to put in the hard work to build on your own

In my experience some of the best coaches in my life put themselves into other people so much that they often neglect themselves. It is a strange phenomenon because one would think an example needs to be set. However, the ability to unlock dormant and often unconscious core competencies is rare and should be celebrated more. Looking after coaches in communities should become the norm.

Solicit input from clients, peers, and mentors, and be receptive to constructive criticism. Identify recurring themes for potential areas of development. Use this external perspective to enhance your strategic planning and decision-making, aligning more closely with client expectations.

Feedback is a powerful tool for growth, particularly when aiming to enhance strategic thinking. It is beneficial to seek input from past and present clients, colleagues, and mentors to gather insights on areas for improvement. Embrace constructive criticism and identify recurring themes that may highlight opportunities for growth. External feedback offers a fresh perspective on your strategic planning and decision-making capabilities. Utilize this feedback to fine-tune your approach, ensuring it aligns with the expectations and requirements of your clientele.

In the fast-paced business environment, continuous learning is essential for staying competitive. As an executive coach seeking to enhance strategic thinking, it is crucial to dedicate time to expanding your knowledge. This may include enrolling in advanced courses on strategic management, participating in industry conferences, or connecting with thought leaders in the field. By staying informed about emerging theories and best practices, you can introduce innovative perspectives to your coaching sessions and assist your clients in navigating intricate business environments more adeptly.

There are many innovative executive coaching methods, such as 1)VR simulations, 2)AI feedback tools, 3)neuroscience insights, 4)mindfulness practices, 5)gamification, and 6) outdoor leadership expeditions. These approaches offer realistic scenarios for skill practicing, personalized feedback for growth, and unique environments for resilience building. However, building a client base in such a dynamic field takes time. I believe each client finds the coach meant for them, and every coach attracts the clients who need their specific approach. The key is to remain consistent, patient, and confident in the value of what you offer. Success in executive coaching comes from believing in your methods and the impact they have on leader

Well, what about reframing your "lack of success" as a crucible for innovation? It's crucial to start by thoroughly analyzing your past coaching engagements to identify patterns, understand what resonated, and pinpoint areas for improvement in your approach. Then, delve into emerging leadership trends. For example, is there a niche for coaching around AI integration or navigating a hyper-polarized world? As a coach, you know the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. That's why you cannot shy away from embracing discomfort, interviewing unconventional leaders, and exploring design thinking frameworks. This introspective-meets-external exploration can provide you with the right information to reinvent coaching services.

Innovation is crucial for differentiation in the competitive landscape of executive coaching. If strategic thinking is an area for improvement, explore ways to revamp your services to provide unique value. This could entail creating proprietary coaching models, leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, or focusing on a specialized niche market that aligns with your expertise. By embracing innovation, you not only enhance your strategic thinking skills but also develop distinctive offerings that appeal to and retain clients.

Building a strong professional network can significantly boost your strategic thinking. Engage with coaches, industry experts, and business leaders to share ideas and best practices through networking events, professional groups, and online forums. These connections offer valuable insights, helping you refine your approach to coaching more strategically.

Building a strong professional network is essential for gaining support, accessing resources, and seizing opportunities to enhance your strategic thinking abilities. Engage proactively with fellow coaches, industry experts, and business leaders to exchange insights, ideas, and best practices. Networking events, professional associations, and online communities serve as valuable platforms for fostering these connections. By collaborating and sharing experiences with others, you can acquire fresh perspectives that will empower you to approach your coaching practice with a more strategic mindset.

Dedicate time weekly or monthly to assess your progress, analyze coaching sessions, and strategize for the future. Reflecting helps identify successful strategies, learn from missteps, and steer your coaching career in line with your long-term goals. This practice sharpens your decision-making and keeps your objectives in focus.

What would you say to a coaching client asking the same question? How do you measure long-term success? How do you know it is strategic thinking that is missing? When have you been strategic in the past? What does that tell you? What resources/who do you need to help you? What data do you need to formulate the strategy How will you measure the success of the strategy you create? How & when will you adjust? Coaches know how to address perceived gaps, but it is really hard to do for yourself. That is why it is important for a coach to have at least one coach themselves. Coaches need a safe space to explore and expand ideas with the aid of an able and committed listener just as much as anyone else does!

Some thoughts; 1. Assess your strengths - Use surveys and feedback, Encourage collaboration 2. Prioritize your responsibilities 3. Develop organizational systems - Find effective methods that help you manage your time, streamline your daily activities. 4. Identify the gap - is it knowledge, skill or focus on business generation that needs to be priortized? 5. Get mentored and coached

Recognize the gap: Reflect on your coaching and identify areas where strategic thinking could boost impact (e.g., goal setting, long-term development plans). Upskill yourself: Read books/articles on strategic leadership, take courses, or find a coaching mentor. Integrate strategic tools: Incorporate goal frameworks, scenario planning, or competitor analysis into your coaching sessions. Partner with clients: Help clients develop their own strategic vision and align coaching goals with that vision. Track & adapt: Monitor client progress towards long-term goals and adjust your approach as needed.

Navigating the intersection of coaching and business development requires recognizing both realms' distinct yet interconnected aspects. Coaching focuses on facilitating positive change through inquiry and reflection, while business development centres on attracting clients and fostering growth. To succeed in both areas, coaches must adopt a growth mindset, viewing BD as a new skill to be mastered for themselves. They should invest in developing strategic thinking skills to clarify their niche, conduct market research, and devise comprehensive business plans. By embracing these strategies, coaches can confidently navigate the complexities of business development and achieve sustainable growth in their coaching careers.

In my experience, coaches are self-reflective & are aware of their core strengths. -Know the gaps & work with a strategic business coach. -Identify your work ethos, & the right business strategy to align coaching & business development practices. -Develop strategic thinking skills & align them with the needs of your target audience. -Identify your USP & value proposition. -Leverage your corporate strategic experience & transferable skills to reach your audience efficiently. -Automate or outsource the areas that are not your core strength. -Have a vision & do a reverse mapping to draw the key pillars & milestones to achieve progress. With the right guidance, experiment & demonstrating your core skills sustainable growth can be achieved.