Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coaching?
“Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” International Coach Federation
Professional coaching is an interactive process that helps individuals and organizations improve their performances and achieve extraordinary results. Professional coaches work with clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, health and relationships. As a result of professional coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.
Is there proof Coaching works?
Yes! The ICF Global Coaching Client Study shows most clients reported improved work performance, better business management, more efficient time management, increased team effectiveness, and more growth and opportunities.
The same study found that coaching clients noted greater self-confidence, enhanced relationships, more effective communications skills, better work-and-life balance and an improvement in wellness.
Nearly 70% of individuals indicated they had at least made back their initial investment. The median suggests that a client who achieved financial benefit from coaching can typically expect a ROI of more than three times the amount spent.
According to the same report, the vast majority of companies (86 percent) say they at least made their investment back. In fact, almost one-fifth (19 percent) saw a ROI of 50 times their investment, while another 28 percent saw a ROI of 10 to 49 times the investment.
Nearly all companies or individuals who hire a coach are satisfied
According to the ICF Global Coaching Client Study, a stunning 99 percent of people who were polled said they were somewhat or very satisfied with the overall coaching experience.
For more details, go to the ICF Research Portal, as well as press releases about ICF’s return-on-investment research. (Excerpt from the International Coaching Federation)
What’s the Difference Between a Coach and a Consultant?
Most people can relate to an Athletic / Sports coach, whose role is to influence you to bring out the best of your abilities and provide an environment of encouragement and feedback.
A Coach in the Leadership/business context works on similar principle in a nonjudgmental manner to help you bring about lasting behavioral change on Leadership behaviors that are most relevant to you and your stake holders.
It is always about “You” the Coachee and not about the Coach.
Coaches will help “You” deliver the pre agreed results over a period of several months as it entails a change in your existing behaviors.
In short the Coach is like the Athletic Coach in the Gym/Field, aiding “you” to maximize your winning behaviors and chances.
A Consultant is an Expert on the topic, that you hire to bring you business ideas and / or implement solutions for your business. Consultants complete their agreed upon deliverables and then it is upon the client to implement the recommendations.
What is the Value of behavioral coaching for executives?
Behavioral coaching is a widely used and valuable tool for top executives, high potentials, future leaders, business owners and their senior management teams.
People often ask “Can executives really change their behaviors?”
The answer is most definitely Yes!
At the top of major organizations even a small positive change in behavior can have a big impact.
Great leaders know that having a coach is a key part of success and we bring this as part of our leadership growth offering.
Great organizations know that they need to give this sort of support to maximize their leader’s and their organizations, chances of success.
In addition to our extensive leadership knowledge and experience, we bring a structured coaching approach that helps leaders to grasp the real issues and arrive at the best solutions for their unique situation.
When is Behavioral Coaching effective?
Behavioral Coaching is for successful people who are winners in the game of life and have developed a positive self-image with a well-developed confidence.
These are people who have the courage to apply their abilities and commitment to growing their leadership effectiveness and helps them get even better.
Does Behavioral Coaching work for all?
Behavioral coaching is ineffective on those who lack commitment to change or have an ethics related challenge or a person in the wrong job.
This is not an answer to manage past traumatic issues.
How can Stakeholder Centered coaching help me?
It is the leader’s actions (what you say and do) that concerns and affects Teams much more than the Corporate values printed on posters.
Companies that are exemplary in terms of living and breathing their values and developing good leaders, recognize that the real success or failure comes always from its peopleand not the corporate values on the walls.
The Stake Holder Centered Coaching helps successful leaders achieve, positive and long term measurable change in behavior: for themselves, their people and their teams.
When the steps in the coaching process are followed, leaders almost always display positive behavior change – not as judged by themselves, but as judged by pre-selected key stakeholders.
This process has been used around the world with great success.
What happens in the Leadership Coaching process?
The session starts with an interview to build the client-coach construct based on commitment to the process and define the key Leadership behavior bottle necks
The Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching (MGSCC) progresses through 7 phases in the client’s professional job environment to create pre-defined results.
This happens through a well-defined and proven Leadership coaching process that runs over 6 to 12 months, depending on client agreement. The coaching interactions are mostly done face to face settings or on Telephone as the individual case may be.
The Coach operates from an attitude of client focused inquiry without judgement. Both parties commit to joint accountability and disciplined follow up with all stakeholders. This ultimately helps leaders in improving their leadership effectiveness as perceived by the stake holders.
The most vexing question – Can Leadership be learnt?
Yes! Wide ranging research conducted by global thought leaders has identified the many competencies and values that today’s managers and emerging leaders must develop to meet the demands of stakeholders in a globalized business environment.
Skill focused managers of today will need to manifest the leadership behaviors, through:
- developing the 15 key global leadership competencies,
- focusing sharply on the 5 emerging leadership competencies,
- committing to bring about pre-agreed change with the help of a leadership Coach,
- within a defined time frame
Given that development happens over a period of time as leadership behaviors form, it is critical for progressive organizations and ambitious leaders to Start Now – if they seek success to develop the next generation of Global Leaders.