On becoming an executive coach

I am now the proud owner of a Professional Certificate in Executive coaching from Henley Business School ??

I’ve been working on this since January, big shout out to the Henley Business School team and my cohort of fellow freshly-minted coaches - you rock! ??

I’ve in fact been ‘doing coaching’ for a few years - shout out to all my guinea pig coachees out there, you know who you are! ????

Why coaching? Let me take you back, way back…back into time [wavy lines wipe across the screen].

I advised a few people on a few topics, and some of them told me that they had found it very useful and that I should think about becoming a coach. I was flattered, mulled it over for a while, and decided this would be A GOOD IDEA??

My thought process was something along the lines of: “I have a lot of experience and knowledge that would be useful to people. Much of it doesn’t currently have an outlet, via consulting work. This will be a great way for me to pay it forward.”?????

And so verily I approach some friends and asked them if I could coach them. This was back in 2021. Some said yes, and I proceeded to coach them.

Actually, that’s a lie. I actually proceed to do some sort of winging-it hybrid between consulting and mentoring. Imparting advice wherever I could. Quickly jumping to solutions and actions. Doing a lot of the talking. It felt great ??

Turns out, though, that true coaching is a very different animal. I WAS DOING IT WRONG. It’s not about imparting advice. It’s not about urgently getting to the point and getting on with follow-on actions. It’s definitely not about talking a lot ??

It’s been proven that effective personal change comes from working through your challenge/opportunity, then YOU (not the coach) formulating what to do about it, and then you (not the coach) making the decision to go ahead with whatever that course of action is. It’s about you (not the coach) taking the lead.

So – hold on – ?what exactly does the coach do? Sounds a bit too easy. That’s what I thought at first, too ???

Also, hold on again – as a coach, what about all the expertise and knowledge I’ve built up via squillions of hours of work and study (self-driven and formal). You mean…I CAN’T USE THAT?! ??

Here’s what I learned. It took me a while, I’ll admit. I came to not only accept, but embrace the following: as a coach, I’m here to provide you (the client) with a supportive space for to improve your situation for the better.

The art – the value to you as a client – comes from the coach’s ability to create that supportive space, to act as a catalyst for your own self-led change. I’ll repeat that, as it’s so important. The value comes from the coach’s ability to create a supportive space and be a catalyst for the change you are seeking.

“Ok, but how?”, I heard you cry ??

Here’s where the art, the training, the experience comes in. During the 10 months of study and practice with real coachees, we learnt, put into practice, did ok (but sometimes failed), tried again, got a little better…until we habituated these practices and got good at them.

Practices like: how to listen - how to REALLY listen; how to use powerful questions; how to explore limiting beliefs; how to support a productive session with a beginning, middle and end; the need to be clear on coaching goals and actions; how to contract with a client; the primacy of the coach/client relationship; how to identify when coaching isn’t actually what your client needs; ethics; and some snazzy exercises and techniques to keep things fun and help you gain a different perspective (“Coaching in nature”, anyone? It’s actually very good ??)

This is what I’ve been learning with the Henley Business School, and practicing with my coachees, over the past 10 months. THIS is what it takes for coaching to really work.

How do I know it works? Because I’ve seen the results. Insights uncovered leading to plans and actions being identified and THEN ACTUALLY ACTED UPON BECAUSE THE CLIENT HAS LED IN THEIR VERY DEFINITION ??

In a short space of time, I’ve watched my clients making a variety of major decisions and then actioning them. Some of them have been life changing ??

Examples

? Building up the courage and resolution to take a sabbatical due to chronic health issues

? Having a vital conversation with a partner about career path and shared earning responsibilities

? Uncovering limiting beliefs in relation to applying for a new role within the client's current organisation, then recognising some fantastic strengths vis à vis other candidates

? Successfully implementing transformative time management practices

? Determining an approach to resolve long-running tensions with a colleague

? Deciding on a route to diversify their organisation’s line of products.

But what about all that expertise and knowledge of mine that I wanted to put to good use??Well, turns out that I CAN use it - in subtle, elegant ways that don’t detract from the client taking the lead and generally working it out themselves ??

A few examples: agreeing at the start of the coaching relationship on the level of guidance you as the client are looking for; asking for permission to share an observation (not advice!) based on my expertise; gently guiding the conversation on the basis of what I’ve seen work time and time again; recommending something to read before our next session.

Coaching is fun. Sometimes it can be tough. But it’s mostly VERY rewarding. I love the feeling that I’ve tangibly helped someone. And I feel privileged to have the opportunity to do so ??

?? What’s next? I’m taking on new coaching clients now. I’m offering a complementary introductory session, where I will answer your questions, understand your situation, and we have a chat about whether coaching might be worthwhile for you. Here's my coaching website if you want a bit more info.

Thanks for reading, and please do get in touch if this is of interest

About me

????I’m Marcos: I’m a tech innovation, transformation and strategy consultant and executive coach, with 25+ years experience across a broad range of industries, organisations and scenarios.

?? I have a clear focus: on helping individuals and organisations doing good at the intersection of technology, sustainability and social impact.

??I live with my family in Wimbledon, London; I love playing tennis, being in nature, and I'm a big music fan.

If you’d like to find out more about how I could help you or your organisation, please get in touch.