The 5 Crucial Keys to a Successful Executive Coaching Relationship

Here's the short list of the five crucial keys required for a successful executive coaching relationship. Are there other keys that can affect the success of a coaching engagement? Yes, but these are the five you should focus on first when considering an executive coaching engagement.

?? Start with the proper mindset.

Working with an executive coach should be seen as a great opportunity to develop your leadership influence and impact. When a coaching engagement starts with enthusiasm and anticipation, the potential positive outcomes are multiplied. So lean-in and set your expectations high.

?? Find a personality match.

An effective coaching relationship is grounded in compatibility. Do you like your coach? Do you look forward to your sessions? Does he make it safe to be vulnerable? Does she know how to leverage your strengths against your weaknesses? Is your coaching relationship excuse-proof? Rule of thumb: if the relationship works, the coaching will work.

?? Narrow your focus.

You should work with your coach to identify 3-5 coaching priorities. They should be high-impact behaviors that are visible, actionable, coachable and accountable. Adding more priorities just diffuses the energy and attention you can invest in these top priority areas, while adding unnecessary risk. If you're feeling "locked-in" in your top 3-5, you can go ahead and add another priority.

?? Remember that leadership is a verb.

It’s something you do. The word “leadership” describes a specific set of expectations and actions that allow leaders to get remarkable results through teams. Your coaching should be laser-focused on these core leadership expectations, actions and behaviors.

?? Take the engagement very seriously.

Dozens of studies have shown the same thing; executive coaching is a true game-changer. Permanent, high-impact improvements can be made that drive amazing business and personal outcomes. It is now a well-known fact that executive coaching drives growth.

The bottom line is that leadership is a force-multiplier… and when leaders improve, everything improves.   

Wally Schmader | September 14, 2020