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Executive coaching has become a common technique, replacing management
training that was more commonplace in the past. Key
advantages of executive coaching over management training are that it: 1) corresponds
with how adults learn (i.e., not classroom style); 2) is fully integrated
within the context of a participant's current challenges and in achieving
actual business goals;
3) is scheduled in accordance with business needs as opposed to requiring
large chunks of time off the job; and 4) is real-time without referencing
remote and hypothetical scenarios.
Many people wonder whether
executive coaching works -- can people change? At HRA we believe
executive coaching works to the extent that participants engage. Evidence
for real behavioral change can be seen in all aspects of our lives, where
people are able to change everything from highly addictive smoking habits to how they
treat and respond to others.
HRA has achieved a great deal of
success in a variety of business settings
and circumstances. On one extreme we have worked with highly effective
leaders to ratchet up strong performance. We have also had substantial success working with others to turn around counterproductive
behaviors. Key characteristics,
roles and
goals of HRA executive
coaching are provided below.
Key Characteristics of HRA Executive Coaching
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Joint focus on
the individual and organization. We assure a joint and
equal focus on strong business impacts and professional development aligned
with an individual's best interests.
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Self-discovery process.
In this regard we work very closely with clients in a highly collaborative
process where the client takes central responsibility and we serve in a
facilitative and supportive role to help him/her accomplish goals.
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Tight balance between providing
ample support and "hard-hitting" feedback.
On one level we do whatever we can to "hold up the mirror" and provide our
clients with open and straightforward feedback. This is always
accompanied with a highly supportive and dedicated commitment to the client
through executive coaching.
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Balance between insight and
action. We focus on both understanding and behavioral change.
This includes developing deep insights and understandings of issues such
as drivers and unintended consequences of behaviors. In addition to
understanding, our executive coaching is highly deliberate on getting clients to focus on specific behavioral change.
HRA Executive Coach Roles
The executive coaching process is
highly systematic but is also always tailored and customized to different
circumstances and the individuals involved. Our executive coaching roles
and key characteristics of each are as follows:
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Listener. Actively listen on
multiple levels; provide a sounding board to rehearse/refine and test assumptions.
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Questioner. Surface “hidden”
issues; reconsider alternatives; challenge, reframe, peel onion and follow
hunches.
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Feedback provider. Provide supportive,
yet straight-forward feedback; guide to answers; disengage filtering and denial.
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Action
planning facilitation. Focus on clear plans and goals; identify
development tools and support mechanisms.
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Monitor/motivator. Track progress;
promote accountability; reinforce what’s working and not; encourage
consistency.
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Collaborator. Help clients achieve potential, strongest talents and
aspirations.
Goals of Executive Coaching
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Clarify Perspective. Understand and
embrace feedback. Recognize different perspectives. Clarify other’s
assumptions. Identify gaps between own and other perspectives (blind spots).
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Uncover Insights. Clarify true
passions and aspirations. Identify barriers and challenges. Surface and
transcend doubts. Cut through limiting beliefs. Clarify mental models.
Reframe. Create more constructive ways for construing facts/relationships.
Hold up leadership mirror. Connect dots.
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Action Planning. Develop bold
vision. Create strategic plans and tactics. Prioritize personal and business
objectives.
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Execute Change. Break behavioral
and transactional cycles. Go outside comfort zones. Solicit support. Ask for
help. Build critical knowledge and skills. Create commitment to continuous
learning. Acculturation to provide feedback and coaching. Empower
independence from coach. Walk the talk. Develop positive mental attitude. Create and
sustain high performance. Assume accountability and ownership. Improve business
results. Transform. “Be all you can be.”
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