How to Coach Executives
Successfully
Jenny Hill
Checklist
When you coach others follow this checklist that describes how
executive coaches employ seven essential skills. Recent research
shows how they develop a rapport with the other person, ask
creative, open questions, give honest feedback, use their intuition
with confidence, build and sustain trust with their client, listen
actively and watch, listen and respond selectively.
Assess the current situation
Actively seek to build rapport and ask open questions.
Help the client to be aware of their situation and to recognise the
patterns in their behaviour that prevent them from achieving their
goal(s).a
Encourage the client to consider alternative solutions
Ask unexpected questions such as ‘If you were 30 not 50 what
alternative solution might you consider and why?’
Help the client to see the issue in a wider context and ‘unstick’ their
thinking.
Spend time helping the client develop their goals
Ask probing questions such as ‘why is this important to you?’ and
then ask why of the answer.
Help the client to consider not just what they could aim for but why
they want or need to. If people do not own their goals they can’t
achieve them. As a coach help to refine their chosen goal, make it a
STAR goal, specific, timed achievable and real to them.
Initiate the client’s thinking; get them considering
options
Never give solutions, only ask questions. Ask open questions and let
the client generate their ideas on the action they will take.
Help the client to consider and plan. Let the client think aloud.
Work with the client; get them using criteria to
evaluate options
Suggest criteria that are helpful in evaluating options. For example,
how much time will this take, what will it cost, what are the risks?
Suggest different methods, pros and cons, force field analysis, mind
maps, etc6.
Work with the client; get them developing a detailed
action plan
Work hard to help your client focus on the detail of their action plan.
Thinking through the steps required to implement a goal requires
rigour.
This helps the client to understand when they have arrived and how
to invest their time in achieving their goal.
Support the client to stay on track
Be a nag, support their efforts with e-mails and reminders, stay in
touch and help them to sustain a momentum.
This helps the client to sustain a trusting, independent relationship
with you.