If you are looking for an executive coach, either for
yourself or your organization, what should you be looking for?
First, you need to look at the education and work experience
of the coach.
Usually, coaches come from one of three kinds of backgrounds. Some are former leaders themselves, or experts
on an industry or profession, who have chosen to focus on coaching others at
this time in their careers. They offer a
“been there, done that” level of expertise and support.
Others come from a Human Resources background. They offer special skills and knowledge in
managing people, building team cultures, successful interviewing, and managing
performance.
Still others have a background in psychology, which enables them
to support strategic decision-making, help executives manage stress, and
mediate disputes.
There is no one background that is “right” for a person or
an organization—but it is important to know the background of the coach you are
hiring before deciding whether a coach is the proper fit for you.
Second, look at the specific training the coach has had in
the area of executive coaching.
Executive coaches, like executives themselves, are made, not born, and
coaches who have completed accredited training programs have a strong
foundation of both theoretical and practical knowledge to draw upon.
Some training programs are intensive and comprehensive,
requiring as many as 175 contact hours and the completion of an examination
before a certificate is granted. Others
focus on specific coaching techniques and skills. (We’ll look at what these are in a future
post.)
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) offers coach-specific
training programs, an official accreditation program, and continuing training
programs for coaches. If you’re
interested in learning more about the different types of training they offer,
there’s a chart on their website at http://www.coachfederation.org/program/landing.cfm?ItemNumber=2146&navItemNumber=794.
Finally, most leading coaches are credentialed by a
professional organization, indicating they have met certain education and
experience requirements; have committed to high professional standards and a
strong code of ethics; and have demonstrated proficiency in various coaching
skills. ICF’s credentialing program is
widely recognized, and offers three levels of credentialing. Information about the skills required at each
level of coaching, and about the certification process in general, can be found
here: http://www.coachfederation.org/credential/?navItemNumber=502
Coaching isn’t an easy job—and no one credential or specific
background assures that someone is a great coach. Reviewing the overall
education, training, and credentialing of a coach you are considering hiring is
well worth your time. There are many
good coaches in the executive coaching field.
Finding one that is the right fit for you or your organization can make
a world of difference.
