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Try to think about 11 football players running onto
the field without a coach. The simple complexities
of a game our fellow Americans know so well include
the kickoff, rushing, passing, tackling, punting,
time-outs, possessions, substitutions, blitzing,
encroachment, forward progress, safety, scrambling,
two-point conversion and the always popular ‘hail
Mary.’
The football coach does not invite the players to
practice, nor does the coach suggest a nice jog in
full equipment, 20 times around the field, on an
August afternoon. The coach requires specific
actions that ultimately generate the desired effect.
In the case of football, it is winning through
training to increase the team’s strengths, and
implementing strategy to score touchdowns.
If a football player wouldn’t consider stepping onto
the field without having a coach, then why do
executives step into a board room without having
one? Strength, agility and coordination play a part
in the corporate environment when referring to
communication, focus, discipline, collaboration,
execution, and planning, just as they do on the
football field.
By now you may be asking yourself, “Do I need an
executive coach?” The answer is yes.
So what does a coach do? A coach can help you better
identify and define your professional strengths and
employ them to meet your career objectives. These
objectives are defined in both short and long term
perspectives. If needed, a coach can help you
identify what those objectives should be.
Additionally, some executives use a coach to tackle
personal issues and resolve obstacles impacting
their career.
A coach will make use of specific tests and tools
that measure traits such as personality, preferences
and strengths. These tools may include Meyers-Briggs
and FIRO-B, instruments for measuring a person’s
preferences, and 360 degree performance assessments,
which gives a manager feedback from multiple
individuals within their organization.
Coaches usually bill by the hour with rates ranging
from $50 to over $500 per hour. When selecting a
coach you should interview more than one, as
personalities vary. Coaches work with professionals
at all levels within a company, both individually
and in groups. Additionally, sessions can be
administered in person or by telephone.
Because the benefits of coaching affect a business’
top and bottom lines, working with an executive
coach has become a more common occurrence in
business today. The Principals at McDermott & Bull
have engaged one of southern California’s leading
coaches, Vance Caesar, whose client list includes
some of the most successful executives in the world
at companies such as Deloitte, Taco Bell, Sony,
Freedom Communications and New Century Financial.
There are numerous resources on the Internet to find
information on coaches. Personal suggestions are:
The Vance Caesar Group -
www.vancecaesar.com
Blanchard Coaching Services -
www.coaching.com
Executive Coaching and Resource Network –
www.executive-coaching.com |
