What does an executive coach do – and how to get the most out of your coaching sessions

A coach is a professional who helps individuals or teams set their goals, and overcome any obstacles that may stand in the way of achieving them. A coach facilitates a coachee’s deep thinking, acting as a sounding board and a mirror as they work towards these goals. 

A coach offers unbiased support and input, is always on your team and encourages you. A coach listens fully, focusing solely on you with no personal agenda. Your agenda is the only agenda allowed in a session. A coach is 100% supportive of what you are discussing or want to put onto the table.

Coaches will:

• Active listen and ask clarifying questions to understand their coachee’s needs and goals.
• Use powerful questions to help their coachees challenge their assumptions, explore new ideas, and develop new insights.
• Help their coachees set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals.
• Guide their coachees to develop a plan of action for achieving their goals.
• Hold their coachees accountable for their actions and their progress.

Coaches can work with individuals in a variety of settings, including businesses, schools, and sports organisations, and can also work with teams to help them improve their performance.

My coaching practice

Coaching can be a valuable tool for anyone who is looking to improve their performance, achieve their goals, or live a better life. Because of my background as a chartered accountant with entrepreneurial experience, I specialise in coaching executives and entrepreneurs, and to a lesser extent elite athletes and talent management (actors). 

I blend effective executive coaching expertise with business acumen to support my coachees develop more effective leadership skills and to find solutions and strategies in times of significant change. 

Besides facilitating career development, executive coaching is beneficial during organisational restructuring, mergers, new product launches and business expansion. It is also effective for leaders navigating complex decisions including personnel management (promotions, recruitment and retention, team motivation, influencing colleagues) and investor relations. 

My coaching process helps leaders clarify their objectives and develop the strategies and new approaches that will achieve them. During this process, coaching may also facilitate reduced stress, enhanced time management and a better work-life balance as well as more strategic wealth creation and legacy building. 

How to maximise your time with your coach

Coaching can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development. By working with a coach, you can achieve your goals, overcome challenges, and improve your life in many ways. However, to get the most out of coaching, it is important to be prepared and to put in the work.

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of coaching:

• Be clear about what you want to achieve. Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start to develop a plan with your coach and together work out what your goals are.
• Be open and honest with your coach. Be willing to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• Be willing to challenge yourself. A coach will support you but they’re not going to pull you – they’ll stand next to and cheer you. This is about helping you to grow and develop. Be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone and to challenge yourself.
• Be committed to doing the work. The coach doesn’t do the work – it’s your responsibility. Your coach can only help you if you are willing to put in the work. Be prepared to do exercises, homework, and other assignments.
• Be patient and persistent. Change takes time and effort. Don’t expect to see results overnight. Be patient and persistent, and you will eventually achieve your goals.

Here are some additional tips for getting the most out of coaching:

• Find a coach who is a good fit for you. Not all coaches are created equal. It is important to find a coach who has the experience, expertise, and personality type that is a good fit for you.
• Set clear expectations. Once you have chosen a coach, discuss your expectations for the coaching relationship. What do you hope to achieve? How often do you want to meet? What are your ground rules?
• Be prepared for each session. Before each session, take some time to think about what you want to discuss. What are your expectations for the session? What challenges are you facing? Make notes on your process.
• Be open to feedback. Your coach will provide you with feedback to help you grow and develop. Be open to receiving feedback, even if it is difficult to hear.
• Take action. Coaching is not a magic bullet. It is up to you to take action on what you learn in your sessions. Be prepared to put in the work and you will see results.

Here are some specific things you can do before, during, and after your coaching sessions to get the most out of them:

Before your coaching session:

• Take some time before your session to reflect on your progress since your last session. What have you been working on? What challenges have you faced? What successes have you had?
• Have clear expectations for the session. What do you want to achieve by the end of the session? What are your challenges?
• Write down any questions or concerns you have for your coach. This will help you to make the most of your time together.
• If you have any specific exercises that you want to work on, bring the necessary materials to your session.
• Come to your session with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and grow. A walk in nature or yoga before your session can be very helpful to get you into the right space. Don’t do it in the office or after a stressful meeting as this will limit your creativity. Do it in a quiet space where you feel calm and confident.

During your coaching session:

• Develop an agenda. Your coach should ask, “What do you want to achieve by the end of the session?” List those things. During the session, the coach will check in to make sure you’re still on track, and afterwards will check that you achieved what you set out to.
• Be present and engaged. Coaching is a collaborative process, so it is important to be fully present and engaged during your session. This means arriving on time, putting away your phone, turning off your computer, giving your coach your full attention and asking clarifying questions.
• Be honest about your thoughts and feelings. Don’t be afraid to share your challenges and setbacks. The more open and honest you are with your coach, the better they can help you.
• Be open to feedback. Your coach will provide you with feedback to help you grow and develop. This means being willing to step outside of your comfort zone and to challenge yourself. Be open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Take notes. This will help you to remember what you discussed in the session and to take action on what you learned.

After your coaching session:

• Review your notes. This will help you to solidify what you learned in the session and to identify any areas where you need more work.

What specific steps are you going to take? Coaching is not a magic bullet. It is up to you to take action on what you learn in your sessions. Be prepared to put in the work and you will see results.

• Set a deadline for yourself. When do you want to achieve your goals?
• Track your progress. This will help you to stay motivated and to make sure that you are on track to achieve your goals.

If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to getting the most out of coaching. Coaching can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development. By being prepared and by putting in the work, you can achieve your goals, overcome challenges, and improve your life in many ways.