The search result is lengthy. So how do you know who to choose?

Executive vs Business vs Leadership Coaching 

 It is said that you manage things and lead people. 

 “Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.”  Steve Jobs 

First, we should clarify what Leadership Coaching is, specifically in contrast to Executive Coaching or Business Coaching. 

Executive coaching is the more traditional approach to senior executive skill development. It strives to help senior level executives and department directors develop organizational skills. C-Suite executives are the “C_O” positions: CEO, CFO, CIO, etc – the Chiefs. Their roles are very specific. D-Suite executives are Directors of the various departments. V-Suite executives are, as you might have ascertained, are the Vices – VP of marketing, sales, finance, etc.  

 Executive coaching for these senior-level executives focuses on managerial skills: business planning, strategy, decision-making, and career management. 

 All of these executives make up what is often called the leadership team.  

 Business coaching typically involves small to medium business owners and entrepreneurs. The coach will highlight blind spots, act as a sounding board, help identify strengths and weaknesses, ensure actions are aligned with goals and hold the coachee accountable. 

 The desired outcome of business coaching is business growth as a result of the growth of the business owner’s skillset.  

What is Leadership Coaching Then?  

Leadership coaching applies to anyone in an executive or managerial position, or anyone whose sights are set on a leadership position on their career path. Leadership coaching focuses on developing skills such as team building, conflict resolution, and communication. Underlying these skills are the qualities or characteristics of a good leader: integrity, empathy, and commitment are at the top of the list.  

 “The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.” Dwight D. Eisenhower 

Narrow the Field for Leadership Coaching Services Madison 

What to Look for in a Leadership Coaching Service 

Now that we understand what leadership coaching is, what makes a good leadership coach?   

Like the characteristics of a good leader, a good leadership coach embodies integrity and honesty, empathy, commitment and courage. Without integrity and honesty there is no trust. A coachee must be able to trust the coach or he or she cannot allow themselves to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is a prerequisite to looking within to discover the blind spots that are obstacles in their relationships. The quality of relationships is the foundation of successful leadership.  

The coach must also be able to trust the coachee: trust that the truth is being told, that the desire to become a better leader is sincere, that there is intention to implement the learning that transpires.  

“The best leaders are lifelong learners; they take measures to create organizations that foster and inspire learning throughout. The most effective leaders are those who realize it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts most.” John Wooden 

A good leadership coach has solid communications skills: the ability to listen with empathy and reflect back the thoughts and feelings expressed. They ask questions that help reveal the focus areas.  

Leadership Coaching Services Madison 

There are likely plenty of good leadership coaching services in Madison. But what about a great one? 

 A great leadership coach leads by example. Integrity and honesty are core values taken to the highest level. Integrity means delivering what is promised and keeping agreements. A great leadership coach takes ownership of their actions and outcomes.  Commitment is a foundational value – to themselves and their coachees. And they have courage, the courage to ask inciteful and sometimes tough questions. And then they listen. They listen with empathy. To turn a phrase, the listen “between the lines” to hear not only the words, but the emotions. They have the courage to deliver tough truths in order to foster growth. 

 Great leadership coaches have the courage to hold themselves and their coachees accountable. This is just one more example of teaching through example. 

• Great leadership coaches have a broad and deep portfolio of experience to draw from. Great leadership coaching services have a diverse inventory of tested and validated systems. No two individuals are alike, so coaching techniques must also be diverse. One-on-one coaching sessions tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of coachee deliver the best results. 

Leadership coaching is a valuable tool for building a business. It develops the skills necessary to be a good – or great – leader. Great leaders develop competent individuals and strong teams, which in turn build successful, profitable businesses.  

 How Leadership Coaching is Different and Defeating Executive Coaching?