Why executive coaching can even help the most seasoned managers: It’s easy to fall into the misconception that executives always have unwavering foresight, a clear decision-making process, and impeccable leadership skills.
But this image can be misleading, especially for those of us in more junior positions. The higher you climb the corporate ladder, the more solitary it can become. We often use the metaphor that “the air becomes thinner” up there.
What’s less discussed is that executives, despite their high positions, may find themselves lacking peers or confidants who can empathise with their doubts and frustrations.
Who else is there in the same position? Who else understand what you’re going through? At the end of the day, everyone is human.
This is where the role of executive coaching becomes pivotal. It can serve as a strategic thinking partner, challenging and refining ideas and leadership concepts. Moreover, it can help reintroduce a more human element into the often impersonal realm of leadership.
Executive coaching can also be that guiding beacon, akin to a lighthouse, offering a true north for navigating complex and challenging situations.
I’ve personally experienced a shift in perspective. As a young, new employee, I used to feel apprehensive around senior executives. However, today, I enjoythe opportunity to engage in executive coaching sessions with these challenging individuals just as much as any other aspect of my work. It’s not only beneficial for them but also for my own personal and professional growth.
It can be misleading to think that executives always know what’s to come, which decisions to take, how to lead.
when you’re more junior, the look up can be a deceiving one. But often the harsh reality is that the higher up you go, the lonelier it gets. We used to say that the air becomes thinner.
Executives may even lack people to talk to, someone who’s a peer who can understand doubts or frustration.
Everyone is a human after all.
To me that’s where executive coaching can play a pivotal role (just as it does in leadership coaching). It can either be to be a strategic thinking partner, to challenge ideas and concepts. Or it can also be to help infuse a more human angle into the concept of leadership.
But also to be there, a bit like a beacon, a bit like a lighthouse. A true north, that helps you navigate challenging situations.
When I was a young new employee, I used to be afraid of senior executives. Nowadays I enjoy the work, respectively coaching sessions with challenging people just as much.
It helps me grow also.
Looking for some clarity? Let’s talk how we could work together.
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