Challenges of an executive coach are unique, and it would be incorrect to actually compare the profession with others. While the dynamics of a changing environment may have a similar impact on the profession, there are requirements that are unique. In other words, to become an effective coach, you need the right kind of training that will prepare you to take up the profession. Most importantly, you need to possess certain qualities that will give help you to become an effective leader.
The need for interests in the dynamics of interpersonal relations
Different reactions in humans are determined by a whole range of issues such as professional, personal, emotional, and situational. This gets further compounded by intense competition and the need to perform in a supercharged atmosphere. To be able to coach participants who negotiate such complexities every day, you need to be deeply interested in this field. You need real passion to succeed in the profession. It is your inputs that combine with the tools and the training that will help participants to rise above the challenges and succeed. If your interest is only superficial, then it would not be a very good idea to pursue the course as your executive coaching training will not be of much use to participants.
Look beyond accreditation – the need to acquire knowledge with accreditation
Holding on to academic qualifications and managing to acquire professional accreditation may be possible for many. But to excel in the profession, it is not just the certification, but the knowledge that is gained that will make a huge difference. There are institutes and course material that will help you to attain accreditation. But your goal should not be mere accreditation, but acquisition of knowledge that will help you to have a successful career as a coach. Accreditation is necessary, but you need to set your sights on twin objectives – knowledge with accreditation. To achieve this, you need to enroll in a training program that empowers you to achieve both.
Widen your horizon with information
You need to have interests that are broad, diving deep into many aspects of life. This will give you a better perspective. You need to learn more about various dimensions in different professions along with your coaching training. This will equip you to handle your sessions after you become a coach. When you enrol for a coaching program, it would help to also enrol in other related programs that help to improve your ability. To be a good coach, you need to have a worldview, you need to understand more about problems and challenges faced by individuals in various professions. This will equip you to offer advice and help participants tackle issues. Identification of various triggers is important and this also needs to begin with yourself.
Career is an extension of human abilities in given situations
Career is not just about the application of knowledge at the workplace. It is a complex combination of capabilities, attitude, culture, goals, perseverance, tolerance limits and a host of multiple factors. A successful career demands harmony among all these qualities. And as a coach, you will be expected to held participants handle pressure cooker like situations that they are likely to encounter in their lives. Employees with the abilities to handle difficult situations go on to become leaders. And as a coach you are expected to assist employees achieve this transformation. It is not only the identification of potential, but the ability to hone certain skills and bring in greater control over decisions, that make a coach successful.
Succession planning and the ability to resolve problems
The biggest challenge that is likely to be faced by employees, especially potential leaders are the ability to resolve disputes and problems. Psychometric testing and various testing protocols are intended to help understand the possible potential of employees in becoming leaders. As a coach you are expected to help the employee to develop/improve the skills that are necessary to become an effective leader. Industries adopt succession planning meticulously, after looking at various skill sets in individuals. An executive coach is expected to help the employees to achieve well rounded skill sets that will fulfill the requirements to become a leader.
Personal development is key to success of individuals and contributes to organizational development. This is precisely why organizations lay emphasis on the need for employees and leaders to improve on this aspect through executive coaching London. As a coach you will be pivotal in this makeover, and your coaching training will empower you to help employees develop themselves. An executive coach is expected to have skills that are beyond common coaching skills as it involves a greater need to assess participants and use tools that will help to transform the individual across different parameters.
