With many issues lingering businesses, the company executives need different perspectives and insights on the business issues they face day to day.

Executive coaching is born to do just that – coach executives to address issue more efficient and effective. Moreover, executive coaching helps executives to achieve personal and professional endeavours.

A knol written by Iain McCormick, an Executive Coach based in Auckland, NZ, offers you an exceptional introduction on executive coaching.

Iain explains that executive coaching is about formally using a set of behavioural methods and tools to help executives improve performance and reach goals through these steps: relationship building, assessment, feedback, planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up.

Iain presents several reasons why executive coaching is in demand these days:

1. The increasing demands of work and its growing complexity make many individuals aware of the need for professional development. However, many do not want to spend the time to get an academic qualification or even attend a residential management development programme. Under these circumstances a coach who comes to the executive’s office for an hour a week is an idea solution.
2. There is also a growing recognition that people management skills are often the key to success at work. These skills are often difficult to enhance without the honest direct feedback from a supportive coach.
3. Many entrepreneurs find running their own businesses a challenging and at times a lonely process. An outsider who can bring a fresh perspective and provide motivational support is often highly regarded.
4. At the point of career plateau individuals often develop a desire to understand more about themselves in order to restart their stalled career or to adjust to the reality of the plateau. Coaching can address these challenges in a highly targeted manner.
5. Chief executives and board directors can find themselves isolated and lacking critically constructive feedback. Gaining access to people who ask questions, provide advice, and give counsel can be invaluable for the ‘lonely’ CEO or board member.

If you intend to hire an executive coach or becoming one yourself, make sure you visit Iain McCormick’s knol first.

Image by sridgway.