Core Competencies for Effective Executive Coaching
By
Michael R. Green
Saint Mary 's University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs
Cluster III
OL633 Economic and Political Contexts
Semester: Summer 2010
Gerald H. Ellis (Jerry), Ed. D.
July 7, 2010
Introduction and Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the field of Executive Coaching to understand the important competencies required for coaching. More specifically, with numerous coaching models, unlimited coaching approaches, and an ever increasing body of analysis and lessons learned, the key question this paper will answer is: what are the most effective core competencies required to be an effective Executive Coach. This paper will be the
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19).
Key Concepts and Main Inferences
The importance of developing good leaders in today’s global economy is one of the most important factors for any corporation whether they are a non-profit or for-profit endeavor. Study after study has shown that solid leaders are a critical necessity to not only be able to compete globally, but to build companies that can be sustained. According to Kouzes and Posner (2007) leaders not only need to put numbers on the board (profits) they must have a focus on the longer-term development of people and institutions in order to prepare for change, adapt to market conditions, and prosper and grow. Additionally, they go on to describe five key practices of exemplary leadership as: modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act, and encouraging from the heart.
Traditionally, many leaders have been focused on only the bottom line, and had little time to encourage from the heart, or act empathically. As Collins (2001) study on what makes good companies great, it came down to the abilities of the leaders (referred to as level 5 leaders) to be empathic to their employee’s needs, help their employee’s learn and grow, and provide challenging work without micromanagement so employee’s can take full responsibility for their performance. This is all in a framework of personal humility that focuses on the company profits and employee
In recognition on how to be an effective leader, past researches in leadership has discovered that leadership is a critical aspect to an organization and it will continue to evolve, in line with the development of human-to-human relationships (Daft & Pirola-Merlo 2009, p. 4, Rast et al. 2012 p. 646). Yet, to be a leader, there are at least six key factors that must be met by a person, namely: followers, influence, intention, personal responsibility and integrity, shared purpose and change (Daft & Pirola-Merlo 2009, p. 5). However, even if someone has
Leadership is, and always has been, a vital aspect of social and economic constructs. It is essential to the survival of societies, industries, organizations, and virtually any group of individuals that come together for a common purpose. However, leadership is difficult to define in a single, definitive sense. As such, theories of leadership, what constitutes a great leader, and how leaders are made have evolved constantly throughout history, and still continue to change today in hopes of improving upon our understanding of leadership, its importance, and how it can be most effective in modern organizational cultures.
An effective leader must have a plan for success. This includes a personal plan of growth as well as a professional plan for improvement. This paper will attempt to highlight my personal strengths and weaknesses as leader, identify the areas needed for improvement, and identify the leadership skills and practices that I will use to become an effective leader. This paper will also give an outline of the goals that I consider a priority and a timeline for this development. The overall result will be an inclusive leadership plan of development that I will use to grow myself as well as any organization that I work for in the future.
Leadership is the elaboration of group inspiration. One person entrusted as leader can implore the aid, and support of supporters in the accomplishment of a common mission. According to Gurdjian, Halbeisen, and Lane “Becoming a more effective leader often requires changing behavior. But although most companies recognize that this also means adjusting underlying mind-sets, too often these organizations are reluctant to address the root causes of why leaders act the way they do” (Gurdjian, Halbeisen, and Lane, 2014) However, today abundant businesses engross importance on the improvement of leaders. Some of the ultimate leaders were formerly followers, such as in instructive businesses. One aspect as leaders many have to contemplate in striving
Since the beginning of recorded history, leadership has been one of, if not the most important elements in the success or failure of an endeavor. This is whether it involved a prehistoric hunting party or ruling the Roman Empire. Today, leadership is recognized as a vital factor in an organization’s quest to be productive and profitable. For an organization to be competitive and achieve optimum success in the 21st century, it is vital that they employ effective leaders that will be able to communicate their vision and goals, motivate their employees and develop trusting and loyal relationships with its stakeholders. There is no one or best way to accomplish this mission. There have been numerous leadership theories and styles which have been developed over time which can enable leaders to choose which method would be most effective for them in establishing collaborative working relationships and a respectful team environment in a group setting (Landis, Eric A; Hill, Deborah; Harvey, Maurice R, 2014).
L. D. is bullish on the need for Executive Coaches. “Especially with how businesses are changing, there is a critical need for coaches. Companies tend to have the technical part of the job handled, but they don’t have the people part down” (Brami Interview with L. D. Bennett, Executive Coach
Business leaders can get caught up in the overwhelming pressures of preparing their companies to grow and meet the challenges in a global economy. These leaders understand the need for organizational changes and adaptations but fall short of achieving their goals when their leadership styles do not inspire or motivate their followers. It is critical that leaders understand their particular style of leadership and the impact it has on employees, peers, and company success. The need for effective leadership is just as critical in the public sector as it is in business.
Executive Coaching is an exciting field of opportunity; an opportunity for the executive to grow out of their old self and into something (situation) or someone new. The growth may be tremendous or it can be more subtle getting the executive or manager to reach a place of improved performance and through the process they come from the strain of stress to the gain of satisfaction of a job well done. Coaching shifts the executives into a new process of being, in the executive’s personal life and professional life.
We have learned that executive coaching is important when attempting to assist others in enhancing their full potential to master superior or desire performance levels. Executive coaching is a tool utilized to assist those in need of performance improvement or management skills. It offers them techniques on enhancing their strengths and improving their weaknesses. “The field of executive coaching has grown considerably in recent times” (Page & de Haan, 2014). There are numerous professional coaching accreditations, foundations, and conferences all over nation for several reasons;
Coaching is generally link to high emotional intelligence, coaches should be good at understanding and relating to people as they are interested in people. Coaching is also about showing empathy and relationship building. Coaches/ managers should be able to transfer their knowledge and skills to their subordinates. Imagine how inefficient it would be if the manager or coach is not able to relay correct instructions or knowhow to his staff in order to perform the job. A communication
238) argues that coaching can address specific skills that an executive needs to develop, competencies that with a need to succeed in her or his current role, competencies that the leader will need to fill in the future, more demanding role.
Executive coaching entails helping executives who has a negative impact on relationships with co-workers, subordinates, and clients. Feldman (2009) executive coaching focus on not the “executive dreams, goals, interest, passions, and unique characteristics, but what the Board and Advisory Committees perceive is best from their perspective” (p. 152).
The topic of leadership is historically one of the most widely researched when it comes to explorations of organizational behavior. The success of any institution or organization is pegged on the quality of its leadership because it is the determining factor on the pattern and speed at which it achieves its growth goals. Leaders are responsible for steering an organization toward its goal by mobilizing resources (both human and material) and maximizing their efficiency. The key deliverables for many leaders include employee well-being, teamwork, adherence to organizational processes and procedures, innovation, crisis
Coaching is the art of facilitating another person’s learning, development and performance. Through coaching people are able to find their own solutions, develop their own skills and change their own behaviors and attitudes.
For decade’s individuals, companies, and organizations have spent an unprecedented amount of money on researching, molding, modeling and working to define what a leader is and what characteristics make successful leaders. Despite all the research, there is not a quick answer or even full agreement as to what makes an individual an effective leader. The definition of a leader is “someone who can influence others and who has managerial authority.” (Robbins, Decenzo, Coulter, 2015. P.370)