Finding the Right Leadership Coach

When a Leader is in search of the right leadership coach?I am often asked, “What kind of executive coach should I be looking for - one who will help me become a better leader for my organization?”?

That is a great question, and one that every leader should be asking him/herself when searching for the right leadership coach.?Many have found the following helpful in launching their search for the right one.

First, think of leadership coaches in two categories: one is the content expert, and the other is the process expert.?The content expert is better known as a leadership advisor.?This professional is very knowledgeable in areas of organizational leadership including leadership development, strategic planning, organizational structure, culture change, staff selection and development, various management styles, employee engagement and the like. They tend to be direct in offering advice and options in discussing how to resolve organizational challenges, issues, and problems you are facing.?

The other is the process expert who is better known as a leadership coach. This professional is very skilled at asking deep and thought-provoking questions for you to ponder in dealing with issues and problems.?Here are some examples:“What would be the most valuable outcome you can achieve in our session?”“What are your ideas to find a solution? “What are your insights so far? “What would you like to discuss now? “What are your next steps?” The purpose of this coaching approach is to guide you in discovering the solution to your problem so that you will own it, rather than an outsider owning it.

The type of you select depends on two factors: One is the style you prefer, but more importantly it is the level of organizational leadership know-how (knowledge plus experience) you possess. ?For example, if you are fairly new in your role as an organizational leader, you are looking for solutions to your problems and issues more than you are seeking thought provoking questions to make you think deeply about what you are encountering as a leader. This is not to suggest that you should not be a deep thinker. You should, but at this time you are facing some urgent and important problems and issues, so you are searching for answers, not more questions – you already have plenty of those.?

On the other hand, if you are knowledgeable and experienced in your role as the organization’s leader, you would be better served by an executive coach. This professional will help you frame the right questions and guide you to finding a solution using on your extensive knowledge base and experience as a leader. You don’t need a leadership advisor telling you what you already know.?

Once you decide the type of coach you need, start interviewing potential candidates to serve as your leadership advisor, or coach, ask this question:“What are you best at doing in helping individuals become better leaders?” Their answer should reveal whether they serve more as a leadership advisor or as a leadership coach.

Then be straight forward and say, "I am looking for leadership advisor who will share the knowledge, information, and skills I need to bring me up to speed on what I should be doing as a leader at this level"; or say, I am an experienced and knowledgeable leader who needs a coach who will guide me through the organizational/business challenges and issues I am currently facing.

Take the time and do this the right way, and you will not be disappointed.

Stan Truskie, PhD, President, MSD Leadership Consultants, Inc.

[email protected]

https://www.msdlead.org