If you are a leader who has reached the senior executive level, you have probably noticed your access to straight feedback, objective data, and time to reflect has diminished. At a time when demands and stakes are at their highest degree, if you stop growing you can impair your capabilities for leadership and your performance can decline.
Here is what some of the senior executives I have coached think about the advantages of keep focusing on their personal development.
Dealing with specific developmental needs
An experienced senior vice president of a large association came to coaching after receiving feedback that she was perceived as a “know it all ice queen.” She tended to give too much advice and be overly-involved in the daily operations. At the same time, she maintained a distant relationship with her team, fearing that as a woman she could be perceived as “too emotional.”
Within six months of starting coaching, she had not only significantly changed the perception of those around her, but had also created a much more engaged and productive team. She was experiencing less stress and having more time for reflection and planning.
Developing a more intentional and collaborative leadership style
One of the executive managing team leaders of a manufacturing company was struggling with creating the culture he wanted within the organization while continuing to identify viable business opportunities for the firm. Running on adrenaline, he was reacting to “urgent” issues at the expense of a long-term focus.
Coaching allowed him to reflect on what he did best and how to leverage those skills for the benefit of the company. As a result, he was able to reorganize the business model, effectively engage with others, and invite more collaboration.
Integrating as a new senior member of the organization
A chief sales officer had been brought in from the outside to turn around the performance of the sales business unit. Coaching allowed her to develop a clear and specific plan focusing on relationship building, accountability and setting clear expectations for her direct reports.
She was able to rebuild a successful team that provided exceptional internal and external customer service and brought in needed new business. At the same time, she was able to create trust and open communication with the other senior executives
Facing new challenges effectively
An executive of a high-tech global company sought assistance in getting his new multicultural, expanded virtual team to interact more effectively. Partially due to the virtual nature of the team, the changing demands of the organization, and misunderstanding of cultural issues,the group was failing to resolve conflicts or to use the diverse talents of the team members effectively.
Through coaching, the executive dramatically improved his skills for effective communication, collaboration, and influence with his team, his peers, and the CEO. His team started outperforming the other teams, mostly due to lowering conflicts and gaining better collaboration.
Successful transition to senior position
A chief officer for registration and records had been identified as a probable candidate to the vice-presidency of academic affairs of a large educational organization. Bright, hardworking, and motivated, the executive nevertheless lacked assertiveness, executive presence, and a solid peer network—all factors that could quickly derail her and sabotage her promotion.
Coaching helped her identify key external and internal stakeholders and create a strong relationships with them. She acquired a more visible executive presence, and began projecting herself with more confidence in senior staff meetings. As a result, when the position opened, she was chosen.
Remember. . .
Even seasoned business leaders have rarely developed the full set of capabilities they need to manage the constantly changing dynamics of their business. Leaders who possess greater self-insight lead with more confidence and effectiveness.
Executives at all levels find interpersonal effectiveness, emotional intelligence, and other leadership skills to be an ongoing challenge. If you don’t maintain intensive executive development you will become obsolete, which, in this rapidly changing environment, is something you may not want to do.
The end of the year is almost here. This is a good time to think about your developmental needs. I have a few coaching spaces open. Give yourself the gift of growth and simply click here to find out how executive coaching can help you.
If you found this information useful, imagine how much more successful you will be, working with me. To find out more, simply click here.
Photo by: Pink Sherbet Photography