7 Frequently Asked Questions on Executive Coaching Answered

Executive Coaching has become widely accepted as a crucial component of developing an organization’s top talent in recent years. Many people choose not to wait for their organization to gift them with a coach. Instead, they prefer to take matters into their own hands and retain full control over their careers.

Whether you’re an organization considering hiring an executive coach for your leadership team or an individual seeking to learn more about executive coaching, this article is for you.

Promises, Promises!

You promised yourself you’d give yourself until September before seeking the help of an executive leadership coach. You said this last year, as well.

Sound familiar?

Don’t beat yourself up. People have reached out to me and said, “I’ve been thinking about engaging an executive coach for three years now. If I had done this earlier, imagine where I’d be right now.”

Look, we can’t go back and change what has transpired. However, we can ensure that we’re not saying the same thing next year.

I thought I’d take this opportunity to answer some common questions about coaching to make you feel more comfortable with the process and the outcomes you can expect to achieve.

If you have a particular question not listed here, feel free to ask me in the comment section or write to me personally at Roberta@matusonconsulting.com.

Here are some of the more frequently asked questions on executive coaching:

What’s the biggest myth about executive coaching?

The biggest myth about executive coaching is that it’s something that’s done to you. It’s not. It’s something you do for yourself.

If I hire a coach, won’t it show people that I’m weak?

Hiring a coach is a sign of strength—not weakness.

My best clients are good at what they do. However, they know they can be better.

I mean, would you consider Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, who arguably is the best quarterback in history, to be weak? He’s got a coach. In fact, he has a team of coaches that he works with.

 If Tom Brady thinks he still has room for improvement, my guess is we all do as well.

 How much time do I have to commit to see results?

Time is an artificial measurement in terms of coaching. I’ve had some clients make dramatic improvements in their leadership skills within weeks. Others take longer, which is why I offer short-term coaching as well as longer engagements.

How long it takes to achieve results depends on where you currently are and where you’d like to be. Also factored in is how efficient you are with your time and if you’re fully committed to following through on the advice, you’re given.

What should I look for in a coach?

You want to find a coach who has been where you want to go. Don’t get suckered in by these 10-week programs where you go through a process with a coach who has attended a certification program and is advising you the same way they would their more junior clients.

Don’t be afraid to ask a potential coach what they did before becoming a coach and why they think they can help you. If you’re still unsure, ask follow-up questions. Still not convinced? Move on.

Should I hire my friend’s coach?

It depends. Are you seeking to achieve the same objectives as your friend? Would your friend hire the same coach if she had a chance to do this over again? Can you afford to pay for the type of coach your friend has engaged? Most importantly, is her coach the right fit for you?

What should I expect to pay for a coach?

Ahh...the million dollar question. Some coaches charge by the hour, while others charge by the engagement.

I’d suggest you go with the latter, as you don’t want a meter running every time you think you might need to talk to your coach. You may hesitate to pick up the phone when it matters most because you’re unsure if you’re situation necessitates a $150 an hour (or whatever the rate) consultation--which is why I offer my clients unrestricted access to me during our engagement. I want to help my coaching clients move forward as rapidly as possible, no matter how many conversations it takes.

Coaching fees are all over the board and vary depending on the experience of the coach, their approach to coaching, and the results they achieve on behalf of their clients. For example, I offer hyper-personalized coaching to unleash leadership potential. As a leader today, you’re facing more challenges than before, which is why a personalized approach is far more valuable than a cookie-cutter solution.

Don’t settle for “OK” coaching. You deserve to unleash your full potential.

Am I best off hiring a coach who holds a certification?

My mentor, Alan Weiss, has always said, “Who certifies the certifiers?” Full disclosure: I received a certification in coaching several years ago, even though I’ve been coaching for a very long time. My reasons for obtaining a certification were based on the desire to add a new process to my body of knowledge.

Does having the certification make me a better coach? Maybe. However, my certification is not the reason why you should hire me or anyone else for that matter.

There are many people who hold certificates who are no more qualified than those who don’t. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not your coach needs to be certified, go back to the question of what should I look for in a coach.

 ©Matuson Consulting, 2021.