Executive coaching is no longer seen as a last resort for performance correction but rather a critical lever for leadership development that impacts individual leaders and the overall health and competitiveness of organizations. With so many executive coaching firms to select from and the stakes so high, choosing the right firm can seem daunting. By focusing on the following four criteria, you can be more confident in your selection.
Deep experience: A firm with deep experience has a demonstrated history of working with top executives and delivering consistent impact across various industries and leadership challenges. Choose a firm that can provide a coaching program that has been tested and refined over time.
A blend of academic theory and executive-level experience: It's important that you work with executive coaches who understand the theory behind human behavior and how to apply it within a business context. Choose a firm with coaches who have both advanced degrees and executive-level leadership experience. They are the most capable of facilitating sustained behavior change.
Data-driven Insights: The most qualified executive coaches integrate data-driven insights to provide a more evidence-based understanding of a leader’s strengths, areas for growth, and impact on others. Choose an executive coaching firm that utilizes multiple data sources, such as 360-degree feedback, personality assessments, and emotional intelligence evaluations. Interview-based 360s provide much richer data than computer-based options. With this robust data, coaches are better able to work with clients to identify relevant and measurable coaching goals.
Availability: The relationship between the coach and the executive is the foundation of a successful coaching experience. Choose a firm that makes two or three coaches available for ”chemistry” calls. Those coaches should be able to meet with your leaders both virtually and in-person for sessions beyond the standard 45-60 minutes and be available for clients between sessions, too. This availability supports higher levels of trust and is necessary for clients to access deeper levels of awareness and insight.
To realize the full potential of executive coaching, it’s necessary to select the right coaching firm for you and your organization.