If you sign up for executive coaching, all the money, time, and effort you invest will be worth it since it is one of the best decisions you can make in your life.
That’s because this type of program will allow you to discover, maximize, and improve your current strengths. In addition, you will get valuable help in identifying your developmental needs and making positive behavior changes that will enable you to perform at your best and, at the same time, create better work/life balance.
Additionally, under such a program, you will acquire and practice vital leadership skills that will aid you in your professional or entrepreneurial growth.
Finally, with the help of your coach, you can create an executive strategy and action plan that will allow you to stay on track as you reach your goals.
Maximizing Each Executive Coaching Session
To experience all these benefits, you have to know how you can get the most from your program. Here are five tips for doing so:
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Keep a journal
Staying organized will help you get optimal results from executive coaching. An easy way to do this is to keep a notebook where you can write down your goals, thoughts, feelings, and anything related to your program.
Your journal will help you self-reflect when you are not meeting your coach. It is also the best place where you can record additional goals, questions, and real-life situations that you want to discuss during your next session.
When jotting down notes, be as specific as you can so that your coach can ask significant questions to help you get to the root of the issue.
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Prepare well before each session
As an entrepreneur or executive, there is a high chance you will always be busy. But whether you attend coaching sessions once or twice a week, you need to take some time to get ready before seeing your coach.
Spend at least 30 minutes before your session to think about new goals and to review the ones you have already written down. If you are going over your current targets, try to think about how far you are in your quest to achieve them.
Additionally, keep in mind that reviewing your notes before each session will help you focus and be more open to new insights and recommendations.
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Always be honest
During each session, go over everything you wrote down with your coach. When you share these personal insights and situations, your discussions will go to a deeper level.
Because of this, it is essential that you are always honest and open with your executive coach. No matter how trivial you think a situation or question is, do not feel embarrassed; talk about these during the session.
Moreover, your coach will constantly ask you thought-provoking, challenging, powerful, and inspiring questions. You need to answer them honestly so that you will get help with identifying the root of a problem and how to deal with it.
By providing truthful and transparent answers, you will get more meaningful results.
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Step outside your comfort zone
When you have a narrow focus or easily attainable goals, your perspective will also be limited. Your access to opportunities will be somewhat restricted as well.
If you have an excellent executive coach, he or she will always help you see the big picture and overcome your fears to reach new heights. You will get constant encouragement to explore and try new areas, ideas, and opportunities that facilitate professional growth.
The powerful questions your coach will ask you will also challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and help you see other possibilities that will contribute to the achievement of your short- and long-term goals.
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Be action-oriented
Finally, coaching sessions are nothing more than meetings or conversations unless you put everything you learn from them into practice.
As such, it is crucial for one of your main objectives to be to leave each session with clear actions or strategies you can take to move forward with your goals or, at the very least, to try something new.
By doing so, you will ensure that you are on the right path to achieving your professional goals. You will also get assurance that all the time, effort, and money you invest in executive coaching will pay off.
Whether you want to start your own business soon, be better at managing your company, or be a more competent leader in the workplace, undergoing leadership coaching will set you on the right track. By following the tips above, you will get even more from each session and the whole program.
AUTHOR BIO
Salma El-Shurafa is an experienced Executive Coach and founder of The Pathway Project. She is a Professional Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach from The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and a graduate of CTI’s Co-Active Leadership program.
