LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: The Impact of Executive Coaching

Printable version

The impact of executive coaching is significant. The contributions the coach makes are not only to today’s bottom line, the coach also has a profound impact on the long-term development of leaders and the organizations they are charged to lead. As a result, the executive leadership development coach can have a substantial impact on human potential and human possibilities and therefore on the sustainability and the growth of the organization.

The coach serves as an expert in challenging others to make the connection between self, action and improved results. Focusing on assessment, introspection, and building upon the strengths and competencies of their colleague (the one being coached), the executive coach occupies a unique position, which fosters the creation of strong leaders, so they can enable organizations to grow and survive over time.

In organizations, especially in business organizations, we talk about how lonely it is at the top. Guess what? It does not have to be lonely. The executive development coach can help the colleague feel more connected in a world that often seems to be disconnected. The coach can challenge and enable leaders to unleash more of their own courage, strengths, talents and competencies than they typically can do on their own. The executive coach can help leaders keep getting extraordinary things done for them personally and for their organization by helping the executive search for meaning and think more objectively through times of chaos and uncertainty.

In the context of a trusting and confidential relationship, the executive coach is a good listener, advisor and sounding board. The executive development coach can help leaders create new ideas from old information, reformulate problems into opportunities, and help their colleagues grasp the essential issues of a complex problem.

Unknown to the organization, many senior executives use the service of an executive coach. There are several reasons for this. The coach may be a personal friend or a colleague, or the executive and coach have a long-standing relationship. Some leaders often hire an executive coach because they believe they have exhausted their own internal solutions. Most see the use of an outside executive coach as providing them with a better perspective or larger world view. Whatever the reason, the use of an executive leadership coach can be very effective.

With the vital support of the CEO and other senior leaders, the executive coach can be very effective in the establishment of a strong and meaningful culture. This, in turn, demonstrates a true commitment to empowering employees. Because of their position of viewing the organization from an outside perspective the coach also can have a better understanding of the “real” culture in which the leadership coaching takes place. There is no doubt that the executive coach can provide an added dimension to increasing the overall effectiveness of both the individuals being coached and the organization as a whole.

One final observation… Leadership is a results contest. The executive coach clearly understands this very powerful concept. They understand the relationship of value to results. A good executive coach continually strives to provide value, to do more than what is expected. That’s what they base their reputation on. They want you to be successful.

Copyright Information:

You MAY reprint the information contained in this article as long as no portion of the contents are modified and it used “exclusively” within your organization and credit is given to Ingbretsen Consulting. Please contact for republication.

About Ingbretsen Consulting LLC:
Coach and author Roger Ingbretsen is a certified executive coach and organizational developer, providing organizational and career guidance to professionals, managers, supervisors and all individuals looking for "real world" career development and business information. His entrepreneurial approach will help you learn how to plan, lead and succeed in your career. Roger is the creator of the “Leadership Development Coaching Experience©” and author of the personal development reference eBooks, “Plan Your Career Now: The Survival Guide for the American Workplace” and “Master Your Career: Proven Strategies for Career Success©.” To know more and claim dozens of Rogers free articles go to www.ingbretsen.com or call 509 999 7008.

Back