Coaching is an enabling process. It can benefit individuals by changing the way they think especially when their thinking limits their success. It supports executives and businesses who are looking for an edge and some additional ways to push their limits and to expand their effectiveness.

Assumptions and lack of self- belief can hold you back from doing what you want and need to do. Through posing challenging questions and skilled techniques, coaching can help you to eradicate your self –limiting assumptions , freeing the mind to think afresh. A positive and conscious mind-set gives us the ability to influence and change the nature of our thinking process, allowing us to feel the way we want to feel.

Coaching aims to eliminate both the internal and external obstacles to achieving goals, unlocking potential to maximise individual & business performance . It builds increased self- awareness , responsibility and empowerment to promote change and to take action.

Coaching is flexible. It can take place at all levels of an organisation, in response to the needs of the business. It is now becoming more common place for CEOs, MDs, General Managers and high flyers to have a personal business coach. Typical areas for coaching include leadership development, achieving objectives, conflict resolution, & time management.

Coaching can also be invaluable when an individual moves from one role to another, takes on more responsibility, or requires support to get the most out of a wider team of colleagues.

5 ways that coaching can add value to you and your business –

1. Space and time is created away from the workplace and the hectic daily workload for in depth reflection and thought gathering. A coach can act as an independent non- judgemental sounding board and can help to structure and crystalise your thoughts & thinking patterns.
2. Through skilful and effective questioning techniques your own thinking is challenged to influence change and action, helping you to close the gap between your current and your potential performance.
3. The process provides a framework and structure to support & ensure a sustained commitment to achieving your goals.
4. It can help to develop and influence a coaching culture throughout the organisation enabling you to coach performance rather than manage performance
5. A coach with a background within your industry can draw on their own experience to add advice, support and value to your thinking process and decision making.

A coach can be a powerful resource in helping you to identify and to focus on what’s important, accelerating and creating success for both you and your business.

About the author –

David Guile is an Executive Leadership Coach who draws on his business & leadership experience as a former CEO to support Executives and businesses to maximise their potential and to become more successful.

‘WHAT’S THE POINT OF MANY YEARS OF HANDS-ON BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IF YOU CAN’T SHARE ANY OF IT? This question effectively sums up what I, along with many business leaders entering into a new career in coaching, ask themselves.How credible can we be as a business coach targeting senior executives if we fail to draw upon our own experiences?The majority of the reading around the attributes of successful coaching is consistent with the non-directive approach with the coach holding back & not offering any advice, recommendation or suggestions to support the client in resolving their particular concern.The non-directive approach successfully encourages the client to build their own self-awareness and to discover their own solutions through developing their own resourcefulness via skilful questioning, challenge and support from the coach.

Whilst this approach is recognised as the cornerstone to successful coaching and is widely & effectively adopted across the coaching community, it can be argued that its translation into the professional world may not be as straightforward or as effective as it appears.The expectations and understanding of what ‘coaching’ means can vary significantly from client to client. Many will seek a coach with experience within a similar industry or with a credible business background with the objective to tap into the knowledge and expertise of the coach.The best business coaches should be able to adapt and flex their approach to suit the needs of the client and be receptive to offering a more blended approach between coaching and mentoring.

1. Contracting

Be clear and clarify with your client as to their needs and expectations from you and ensure their full understanding of the preferred approach.  Agree at the contracting stage if the client will be receptive to your input by drawing on your previous business experience to add value to their thought process and decision making.

2.  Hold back

Allow for the listening stage and give the client time and space to reflect and think. Hold back on offering any views of suggestions too readily.

3.   Explore

Explore and exhaust all the options from the client through effective questioning and challenging their thinking.

4.  Challenge

Challenge the client again before considering to share any relevant experiences or knowledge to support them

5.  Knowledge sharing

Any sharing of knowledge, experiences or suggestions should be relevant and appropriate to support the client’s thinking and decision making process.

Encourage time for reflection in order for the client to consider the input to reach their own solutions and actions.

Every business faces the same vital question: how to develop and retain key personnel, and in particular high-flyers. Establishing an effective coaching programme will empower the team while also embedding a culture of professional development

Well-planned coaching sessions offer a tailored chance to focus on vital areas. These sessions will act as a catalyst, maximising individual potential and performance for the benefit of the business.

Coaching is about change and action. It empowers individuals to seize responsibility and develop their personal skills by committing to specific steps which can be measured, and which support their career development.