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While the field of executive coaching keeps evolving, there are still some general best practices that coaches follow to build a successful practice. By deploying these best practices, a coach can work from a basis of confidence and clarity and serve clients well. Here they are as we see them from our perspective in the…

It’s always an opportune time to review your coaching practice and ensure you are aligned with the current trends. If you don’t, then you may find your business falling behind others who are in tune with the times and leveraging opportunities. With this in mind, here’s our list of 10 trends in executive coaching you…

As a professional coach, it’s likely you will spend numerous hours each day on video. Indeed, I sometimes have as many as 6 hours of video meetings in a day. But do they need to be that way? I recently presented a 3-hour team development class using the Five Behaviors program material. Interestingly, this leadership…

You have likely already heard about the power of silence in a coaching session. These are extended periods of quiet where you and your client think deeply about what is important in that moment. You take your time to consider what to say next as a coach and the client takes time to explore themselves…

I’m a huge proponent of sponsored coaching. There are many reasons why I’d rather have sponsored coaching clients versus direct pay clients. Two of my favorite reasons are steady work and higher rates. New coaches often are fully bought into my rationale for focusing your energy on sponsored coaching but aren’t sure how to secure…

I recently had a coaching session where my coachee shared with me that they are starting to use techniques with their directs like reframing and open-ended questions. And better yet, they’re working. What music to my ears! They went on to say that they are seeing the value of acting as a coaching leader with…

A collection of my most popular videos I hope you’ll enjoy watching a few of them beginning with my interview with Jill Bornstein, which has been watched more than 1,400 times! 1. First Year As An Executive Coach – Interview with Jill Bornstein (1.4k views) 2. Assessments Ideal For Executive Coaching (1.4k views) 3. An…

One of the key reasons I entered the world of coaching was to be in a profession that would continually challenge me to be better. I don’t believe the phrase “rest on your laurels” exists in the coaching space for coaches and for sure not for clients. We are learning and growing beings. If that’s…

While I often espouse the merits of sponsored executive coaching, it’s dawned on me recently that it’s not all rosy. In fact, there are downsides, and one stands out as significant for newer coaches to be aware of as they launch their practices. It has to do with timelines. You see, one of the great…

Executive coaching has grown and evolved over several decades to incorporate a number of models and methodologies for coaching executives and leaders. Savvy executive coaches often employ a specific coaching model, or a blend of models, to shape their session work and to help their clients achieve desired short term and longer-range goals.     While there…

I came across this study that pointed out that 46% of Americans didn’t read a book last year. They may have started one, but they didn’t finish it. Here’s the chart where you can see where you land and what percentage of Americans read fewer books than you. You may be wondering what this has…

Email. What does that word conjure up for you? For me, I often say it’s a blessing and a curse. When I started working, there was no email. We used the phone, faxes and pagers. It was somewhat of an idyllic existence now that I look back on it. I was generally able to focus…

Does this sound familiar? “I don’t work with government organizations.” I said that for years until a person I partner with brought me in to do some work with a government organization. I also received a lead, then a coaching engagement from a county government organization. That wasn’t the first time I’d been approached by…

New coaches will often proclaim they only want to coach people who are “coachable”. What does coachable mean exactly? Here are words I’ve heard used to describe coachability: Open-minded Reflective Growth-oriented Positive Open to feedback Focused Ready to change Vulnerable Trusting This sounds like a good list, right? What coach wouldn’t want to work with…

I am a Certified Mentor Coach, which means I frequently observe newer coaches working on their skills. I’ve noticed a trap that coaches regularly fall into and I’d like to help you avoid it. It’s the trap of seeking to add too much value. You see, when we coach we do so in the hopes…

One of the things I really like about the coaching business is that it doesn’t really take a break. Sure, there’s a slowdown during the holidays and some weeks off here and there during the summer, but there is no clear peak season and trough. Once you build up your practice, you can expect to…

If you are on your own, then you need to be able to market your services well. I have one process I like to follow that helps me position myself and services in a positive and productive way. It’s common for us to have websites that talk about our service offerings. All coaches have that.…

Want a brilliant framework to use within a coaching session? Use this three element dynamic shared with me by Andrew Neitlich, founder of the Center for Executive Coaching. When you’re working with a client who wants to be more effective, ask them how they are doing in balancing the three elements of Ego, Results, & Relationships.…

I have had a lot of discussion with coaches around the differences between these various modalities. Believe it or not, the USDA has a decent explanation of each one. I think you’ll find it helpful! This post was inspired by information from the USDA Office of Human Resources Management. Coaching The Coach’s primary attention is…

I’ve noticed an uptick in female membership at the Center for Executive Coaching. Just from my little corner of the coaching world, I’m seeing more women enter the profession of leadership coaching than men. I was asked by one of our veteran male coaches what I thought might be driving this trend. I’d love to…

Coaching Lessons From an MCC The SF chapter of the ICF hosted a special event with Lyssa deHart, an MCC based in Washington. I’ve only recently discovered what a wealth of coaching knowledge Lyssa is. As you may know, the ICF released a new exam for coaches who want to attain an ICF credential. That…

I recently received a question about how the rise of AI will affect coaching. I believe we should accept AI is going to make its way into nearly all types of work including coaching. I can imagine a future when a virtual AI coach asks new managers common questions such as: “Did you prioritize your…

There is a bias called Illusion of Control. This bias is defined as the tendency for people to overestimate their ability to control events. I’ve used DiSC for many years and I’ve often said to people in debriefs that people who are the D and I types are more likely to feel like they can…

Leila Ansart is the founder and CEO of Leadership Impact Strategies, a talent development consulting firm located in Florida. She’s an alumni of the Center for Executive Coaching. Leila has a unique path into executive coaching and has learned to capitalize on that uniqueness to help her firm stand out in the marketplace. Her firm…

Want to take on a real coaching challenge that will grow your coaching presence, refine your listening skills, and more closely connect you with your client? Yes? Great. Here’s what you do, don’t ask a question until it bubbles up after your client is done talking. I’m sure you’re like me in most coaching sessions…

How Coaching Conversations Differ From Regular Conversations  You know they’re different, but how exactly? Here’s a short list along with some brief commentary. There’s often a singular topic. Regular conversations may cover multiple topics. They are focused on forward action. Regular conversations aren’t necessarily about taking action. Coaching conversations definitely are. The client does most…

Michael Neuendorff, faculty member of the Center for Executive Coaching, recently delivered an informational webinar about the various programs and pathways to certification. Watch the recording of the webinar below. If you have any questions or are interested in taking the next step to join the Center for Executive Coaching, contact us at your earliest convenience. We look forward…

Kelly Tweeddale, an ICF certified executive coach and principal of Break the Tape Leadership, coaches high-performance leaders and organizations throughout North America. Her method is based upon a unique focal point: connecting people and organizations through creativity. Kelly is widely recognized for forging paths of notable growth through strategy, action, and innovation, always with a…

I’d like to cover a very simple idea that, when employed properly through your website, could make a big difference in your coaching business. This simple idea was not easy for me to implement at first. Not because it was difficult to execute technically, but because it was difficult for me to execute mentally. I…

The rise of AI has led to concerns about its impact on the coaching profession. In this article, we will explore whether coaches should be threatened by AI and how it may affect their ability to get clients. Coaching has become a popular profession in recent years, with many executives seeking the guidance of a…

In a recent meeting I held with a coachee and their manager – as an initial check-in for a sponsored engagement – I discovered something that may be a secret to success in executive coaching engagements. Here’s what happened. I was meeting with my coachee, whom I’ve worked with for just a few months (meeting…

I was listening to an online interview recently between two consultants and an author about conversations that matter. Pretty good content. What caught my attention was when one of them asked the author several questions at once. This is what we call stacking in the coaching world. I find that stacking comes naturally to people…

Throughout the coaching process, we’re always looking for certain questions we believe will trigger growth in our client, evoke awareness, and help them discover new opportunities and solutions to improve their professional lives.  There’s one question that almost always helps to make a session better, and it’s a question you might ask about halfway through the…

In the course of a typical coaching engagement, you’re liable to ask yourself: “How will I know if this coaching is effective? How will I measure its impact?” It’s likely your client will be equally curious. Don’t be stymied by these questions. There are solid ways to measure the effectiveness of your coaching. Here are…

Leaders lead and coaches support. While that division in function seems straightforward enough, the evolving role of today’s savvy business manager is “leader-coach.” While managers traditionally plan, organize, and assign tasks, exceptional managers establish a purpose their teams can unite behind and work together to achieve. They harness the talents of their team by taking…

As coaches, we’re always looking for ways to hone our skills and improve the delivery of our coaching services. Here are three proven ways to support your growth as an executive and leadership coach. #1: Ask shorter questions.  In a coaching session you want your client to talk more than you do. A good ratio…

What does it mean to coach the person and not the problem? And does this apply in a real coaching situation? To answer these questions, I’d like to recall a situation from my past that can illustrate what’s meant by “coach the person, not the problem.”  In the Spring of 1998, I started a new…

In an earlier post I shared three keys that have contributed to the success of my coaching business over the years. I’d like to supplement those keys with three more that have been incremental to business growth. I hope these will help you create a long-lasting and successful coaching business. Reason #1: Understand sales and…

I get questions all the time from newer coaches about what’s led to my success as a coach. People want to know: What are my “secrets?” This led me to thinking: “What could I share with new coaches that might help them to be successful and build a long-lasting practice?” I thought it over and…

A recent survey indicated that 70% of people think they’re above-average listeners and believe those around them are below average. If you know anything about math, you know this can’t be true. So how can you tell if you really are a good listener? Laura Janusik, a.k.a. Hashtag Dr. J. Listen, can help you find…

It’s a timeless question used to assess a person’s outlook on life: is the glass half full or is it half empty? In the Appreciative Inquiry model (AI for short), the glass is definitely half full. AI focuses on what’s good, what’s working, and what can be, substituting problem-solving for an alternative mindset based on…

Jill Bornstein received her ICF certification in June of 2021 and is the founder of Upnext Leadership Coaching. Jill specializes in developing new leaders, rising executives and high performing leadership teams. Her competencies as a successful growth accelerator, business strategist, team champion, and partnership builder were built during her prior business experiences as a Fortune…

As the clientele for professional coaching grows and diversifies, so too does the methodology used by coaches to help clients achieve breakthrough results. While there are now numerous methods and processes being employed by coaches, three process models stand out for their effectiveness, flexibility, and wide usage. Let’s take a high-altitude look at each one.…

Ashley Schaer is an ICF ACC certified executive coach through the Center for Executive Coaching. For over 12 years, Ashley worked for the City of Portland, Oregon, serving in leadership roles that included senior business systems analyst, senior management analyst, and safety and training program manager. In 2020, Ashley left the City of Portland to…

Robin Doenicke is the founder and CEO of Zensho Agency, a multinational consultancy and one of Japan’s most highly awarded and innovative recruitment firms. “Zensho,” which means “whole life,” reflects Robin’s belief that life should be lived holistically and with purpose, passion, and presence. He recognizes that connections can change lives, and his life mission…

Don Wetmore is a certified executive coach and author of “The Productivity Handbook.”  Don’s an expert on using time wisely and boosting productivity. Recently our own productivity enthusiast Michael Neuendorff had an opportunity to sit down with Don and find out how Don helps his clients get much more out of their professional lives.  Michael…

Among our most interesting and informative activities in 2021 was a series of 1on1 interviews we conducted with a group of outstanding executive coaches. These leaders in their field were generous in sharing their experiences and insights into the world of executive coaching. Within our vibrant conversations, they presented a set of valuable ideas that…

Ashleigh Miller is a certified executive coach specializing in team coaching and team dynamics. She’s passionate about the human element in business and believes all business issues stem from people issues. Ashleigh spent the first half of her career working in professional services with Accenture and Ernst & Young. Her primary focus during that time…

Sadaf Shaikh is the founder and president of Caras Consulting, a Toronto-based boutique consultancy focused on helping business leaders create a high-performance culture within their organization while focusing on people and processes. As an executive coaching culture strategist, Sadaf provides her clients with sharp insights on people and situations, provides honest feedback guidance, and tailors…

In the first post in the series, we introduced the idea that coaches play multiple roles inside of a coaching engagement. Great coaches find a way to be the person a client needs in the moment to unlock the next phase of positive growth or simply to enable deep thinking, quiet reflection or a drive…

Craig Coffey is an ICF credentialed professional certified coach with 30 plus years of senior experience working for a variety of Fortune 300 companies. He’s also a diversity-equity- inclusion champion. Craig works with his clients to identify, unlock, and grow their talents and skills to achieve career ambitions, as well as build strong teams that…

Just as great athletes require great coaching to reach their full potential, so too do great business leaders. As an executive leadership coach, it’s your job to help your coachees grow their effectiveness as leaders by increasing their skills, which often revolves around developing their emotional intelligence.   Effective executive coaching improves an executive’s ability to…

Trevor Blondeel is the founder of Operations Kickstart, a coaching firm focused on the needs of business leaders in the manufacturing sector. After spending over 25 years in leadership roles in manufacturing plants, Trevor found that he was actually in the “people industry.” This realization led to emotional intelligence (EI) becoming the cornerstone of his…

In our last post we introduced the idea that coaches play a variety of roles throughout a coaching engagement. Clients have varied needs and the trajectory of certain coaching conversations may cause a coach to feel they need to bring a different person to the situation to help the client move forward. In this post…

Daiana Stoicescu is an executive leadership coach based in Romania. She’s a Master Certified Coach credentialed by the International Coaching Federation, a Master Certified Coaching Trainer by the Center for Executive Coaching, and a registered ICF Mentor Coach. Daiana was also the president of the ICF Romania chapter until 2019.  As a Master Certified Coach Trainer…

Mike Williams has been the owner and president of The Growth Coach of Northern Virginia since June of 2015, offering strategic planning, business development and sales training to small businesses, corporations, executives, and sales teams. Mike’s diverse background includes 20 years at the Coca-Cola Company, 6 years at Mobil Chemical (now ExxonMobil), and 6 years…

The coach and coachee relationship is a dynamic one. As trust is established, outcomes are considered, actions are taken and challenges arise, the coach takes on various roles to support the client. The adoption of multiple roles can even take place in a single coaching session. Being a flexible coach able to shift among the…

Until recently, leadership coaching was a privilege reserved for a company’s top executives. These leaders usually fell into two broad categories: leaders who wanted to perfect and improve their already formidable skills as executives, and those who were perceived as having problems or deficiencies on the job that needed the experienced and guiding hand of…

Whether or not you feel you’re ready to go out and get clients for your new coaching practice, you first need to ask yourself a very important question. This question will determine whether you’re truly ready to coach; it really is a make-or-break question. Interestingly, this is also a question you’ll be asking of your…

To be an executive coach, you need a process. In this post, I’ll share a simple and solid process to use in your coaching sessions. By following this process, you’ll find you’re able to guide the client through a conversation that moves them towards the goals they’d like to achieve by working with you.  A…

Measuring the ROI of executive coaching has bedeviled many coaches. How can you prove to a skeptical prospect, or current client, that you’re well worth the investment they’re making by hiring you as their coach? The key is to prove how intangible benefits such as better decision-making ability, better communication skills, and improved emotional intelligence…

This is the first in a series of posts designed to help you succeed as an executive coach.  To begin, I want to cover a fundamental requirement for success in any endeavor: get yourself properly trained. Coaching is a unique professional vocation. The government doesn’t require that you get any coaching education or be licensed…

Executive coach and author Teri Citterman likes to shape great thinkers into great leaders, and she’s been successful doing just that for almost a decade. Teri coaches CEOs, executive teams, and high-level managers on the path to becoming industry shapers and thought leaders of the future.   Recently, our own future-thinking Michael Neuendorff sat down with…

James Pagano is a business performance coach based in Charlotte, NC, whose passion is working with small business owners. James’ client engagements are collaborative and holistic, with a focus on such areas as strategic business development, relationship management, and the ever-elusive goal of time management, also known as prioritization. Recently, Bay Area Executive Coach’s Michael Neuendorff caught…

There’s a plethora of books covering literally every aspect of executive and leadership coaching. In fact, this popular topic has been written about by eminent authors for decades. With so many books to choose from it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when selecting the best books to read for advancing your skills and coaching career. To…

What are your people looking for in a leader today? Optimism in the face of great difficulty? Yes. Clarity of vision even when things seem muddled? Yes. A passionate interest in engagement and well-being? Yes. You’ll need to work on the first two, but we can help with the third. Coaching employees increases engagement and…

Why is coaching becoming so commonplace in companies large and small around the world? Because it works. Coaching is powerful. Coaching helps people at any level – whether they are self-employed or gainfully employed – learn and grow to become better versions of themselves. The key reasons why coaching seems to be so powerful are…