Written by: Jeffrey Watts, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The modern workplace is becoming increasingly complex, with an ever-growing list of demands and expectations placed on executives and business owners. This can lead to feelings of stress, fatigue, and difficulty in making decisions. They rely on their willpower and grit to deal with the never-ending onslaught of issues and challenges. There never is enough time. These leaders also know that there must be a better way. This is not the life they envisioned when they started their business. How do they break through to the other side where significance, fulfillment, excitement, and true impact live? In this article, we will explore the 1 process that empowers executives to become more successful, productive, and satisfied in their roles.
A Succeeding Above and BEYOND Standard Norms over the Long-Term while maintaining well-being and positive relationships.
Coach
A Trusted Advisor, Guide, Tutor, Sensei, or Coach
We have all had coaches throughout our life. In fact, we would not be where we are today or have the levels of success we enjoy, had it not been for those people who poured themselves into our lives at critical points of our development.
Think back on what you gained from your parents, teachers, pastors, coaches, and previous employers. We learn vastly different lessons from each type of coach, yet all are important to our development of character, skills, productivity, and influence. Today, if I ask you to tell me about your favorite teacher or coach, I will venture that they were the ones that challenged you the most or were the hardest on you – right? You see, true growth and development is perpetuated by those that see our potential and push us to discover our personal power. They help us “see” things that we otherwise would not see ourselves.
Coaching is a Life-Long Process.
Growing up, we all had a few key coaches. As we get into our careers, when the stakes are even higher, we often find ourselves alone, separated, not having a key coach that is outside of our management team and is looking out for our best interests.
Owners and Board members expect Senior Executives to train, coach and develop the next generation of leaders within the organization – yet those same Senior Executives (the leaders of TODAY) are without coaches to help them navigate crucial decisions, objectives and achieve continuous growth.
What Coaching is Not.
Executive performance coaching is not life coaching, personal counseling, management consulting, accountability sessions or any program focused on simple fixes or changes.
While true executive performance coaching may incorporate many of these areas when deemed necessary, the core objective is much larger. It is about Mastering Success in your Business and Personal life without compromise or regret!
What is High-Performance Executive Coaching?
Top executive coaches combine the traits of an experienced executive role-model with the skills of an intensely driven and focused certified high-performance coach. They help executives gain self-awareness and compel these leaders to understand the impact they have on their organization and the leadership team. Great coaches create an environment where the executives can get more out of themselves!
It is not a focus on right or wrong; good or bad – but a very direct conversation of what is working and what is not moving the organization forward. A true executive coach not only provides this feedback but focuses on honing the leadership, management, and interpersonal skills of the executive to catapult them to the next level of effectiveness – Personally & Professionally. This is a longer-term relationship, as this type of continuous improvement and development is necessary for elite leader performance.
Working with an executive coach will develop:
Extreme Clarity
Full Engagement
Enhanced Leadership Skills
Strategic Thinking
Greater Creativity
Fresh Perspectives
Decision-making Muscles
Next-Level Influence
Rich Personal Relationships
Physical & Mental Health
Greater Satisfaction, Joy & Confidence
Is a High-Performance Executive Coach for You?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I find myself often stressed about financial results or frustrated with the performance of my team?
Do I struggle with employee and human resource issues on a consistent basis?
Am I achieving results but not fulfilled or happy?
Is there a conflict with my executive team, board members, or managers that impacts productivity and the ability to quickly adapt to the market?
Who, outside of my organization, holds me accountable to be my best self?
Am I effectively using my time to be strategic and grow the business or is much of my time spent on “fixing” issues?
How do I accelerate the speed of change and progress?
Do I find the same issues or problems emerging every day, week, or month?
How do I unlock the untapped potential I know is in my business?
Who in my life can I discuss anything with and know it remains confidential?
Is my vision for my life and company crystal clear?
Do I have a life-long learning plan?
Do I have a scheduled time or planned activities to “recharge and recover?”
Do I have “balance” and make my personal relationships a priority?
Do I consistently take time to work on my physical & mental health?
Now, Consider These Facts:
In an Executive Coaching Survey done by the Miles Group and they found that “Nearly two-thirds of CEOs do not receive coaching or leadership advice from outside consultants or coaches, and almost half of senior executives are not receiving any either.” These researchers also found that “nearly 100% responded that they would enjoy the process of receiving coaching and leadership advice (see full report at here.)
The key findings of this survey include:
Shortage of Advice at the Top – the term “It’s lonely at the top” seems to apply here. Nearly 100% of those surveyed stated they were willing to be coached and make changes based on feedback.
CEOs are the ones looking to be Coached – 78% said it was their idea to seek out a coach, while 21% said it was their board chairman’s idea.
Coaching “progress” is largely kept private – More than 60% responded that the progress they are making was between them and their coach – confidential.
How to handle conflict ranks as the highest area of concern for CEOs. – 43% of CEOs sought a coach to help them manage conflict. As CEO, most of what hits your desk are the tough problems that no one else in the organization chose to handle.
Boards are eager for CEOs to improve talent development – Boards are concerned about a “talent bench” to draw from as needs arise.
Top areas that CEOs use coaching to improve: sharing leadership/delegation, conflict management, team building and coaching.
A recent Harvard Business Review study found that “2 out of 5 CEO’s fail in their first 18 months.” (see report here)
In a study conducted over the last two decades by the Center for Creative Leadership, they found 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs lasted less than 3 years and that the top executive failure rate can be as high as 75%.
These facts should be a “wake-up call” for any C-level executive who thinks they do not need a coach and can do it all on their own.
Today, executive performance coaching is not “remedial”, meaning it is not targeted to resolve “toxic” problems or “fix” leaders. Top executives realize that anything that can improve their performance and leadership must be pursued, like how professional athletes have personal coaches, in the good and bad times of their career. In fact, most successful people participate in coaching to accelerate their results!
The Performance Coaching Process.
The process is direct and practical. Your coach asks direct, unbiased, probing questions that assist you in gaining new insights, clarity and identifying new strategies or behaviors that will address the issues you face now. This is not counseling – these are high-level discussions, with intensity and rigor, to help you achieve Results BEYOND Extraordinary in the shortest timeframe possible!
High-Performance Executive Coaching is:
In Context – dealing specifically with your issues and not just a program or theory.
Pragmatic – it is not about teaching 7 steps to do something…it is about immediate insights you can integrate today to create growth.
Eye-Opening – new perspectives and revelations as you are challenged to think outside of your box.
Unbiased Accountability – you decide what is important to you and your coach helps keep you focused on the goal at hand, without bias or opinion.
What are the Benefits of Hiring an Elite Executive Coach?
Heightened connection with reality
Increased effectiveness, with a focus on leading instead of “fixing.”
More accountable relationships with your executive team
Increased awareness of your strengths and how to use them to impact every situation.
“Buy in” from your team to pursue new tactics or processes for growth.
A renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment
Deeper connection with friends and family.
Your significant other find your new confidence super sexy!
High-Performance Executive Coaching is THE Vehicle for Achieving your Highest Goals and Aspirations.
So, are you ready for Elite Levels of Success?
Do you have a fierce desire to learn and grow?
Would you like to have clear, direct feedback regarding your impact on your organization?
Could you use an independent “sounding board” to discuss & analyze your strategies?
Want to boost your performance with new skills and strategies?
Are you ready to stop grinding and start really living?
Ready to finally achieve the true freedom you deserve?
Hiring an Executive Coach assists you with all this and much more.
It is all about amplifying your talents and skills to develop new strategies to achieve your HIGHEST PERFORMANCE on a consistent basis, But the right match of Performance Coach and Executive is KEY!
As a CEO or business owner, you operate daily in a context of change – dealing with whatever challenges emerge while remaining focused on the key objectives to grow the business and deliver your value proposition to your customers.
How would you like to have an Executive Coach that is also a seasoned executive and not just a consultant?
Can you imagine having that person to discuss your ideas and strategies in “real time.”
What would it be like to have a trusted confidant to refine your messaging or hold you accountable for doing the right thing?
Executive Challenge Hire a Beyond Executive Performance Coach
– If you dare.
Jeffrey Watts – The Catalyst
If you are ready to engage at the highest levels and discover what you are truly capable of achieving, then go here to complete a short application to see if you qualify for a 1-on-1 Strategy Call with Jeffrey Watts.
On this call, you will discuss your current challenges and get the insight you need to see if Jeffrey is the right executive coach to take your success above and BEYOND!
Jeffrey Watts, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jeffrey H. Watts is the founder of Beyond Performance, an elite business growth advisory and executive coaching firm. With over 25 years of real-world business experience, Jeffrey has guided hundreds of businesses to exceed their growth goals through innovative strategies, team optimization and energized executive leadership. As a Certified High-Performance Coach, he specializes in assisting business owners and founders to utilize their God-given talents to turn their high potential into high performance, without sacrificing their relationships or well-being. His passion: Have leaders experience fulfillment, aliveness and deep connections through their meaningful pursuits.
