Executive Coaching

"Executive Coaching is designed to enhance organizational efficiency and productivity by accelerating leaders' growth and performance. Coaching engages leaders in customized ways tailored to their individuality. It is this customization that sets executive coaching apart from other leadership development opportunities." (Schidlow and Siders, 2014)

What is Executive Coaching? 

Coaching is a short-to-medium-term relationship between a manager or senior leader and a consultant (internal or external) with the purpose of improving performance (Douglas and McCauley, 1999). Coaching is not networking, mentoring or therapy.  

Mentoring:

  • Can sit at any level in the hierarchy
  • Have an ongoing relationship that can last for an extended period of time
  • Provide emotional support, feedback on how to improve, and other advice

Executive Coaching:

  • Senior leaders who undergo extensive training and certification
  • A relationship is often shorter and generally has a set duration
  • Aim to stimulate the coachee to uncover innate knowledge so he/she can achieve a sustainable result
Distinctions Executive Coaching Mentoring Consulting
Role Differences Executive coaches are senior leaders or organizational contributors who undergo extensive training and certification. Mentors may support others with their current expertise from any level in the organizational structure. Consultants are either external to the organization or specific work segment.
Length of Relationship The executive coaching relationship is time-bound and determined by the needs of the client. A mentoring relationship is one that is often flexible in duration and may last for an extended period. Consultants are typically engaged to support a specific initiative or project with a scheduled starting point and end point
Role Purpose Executive coaching supports the client to develop innate awareness, knowledge and/or skills to achieve a sustainable change or result. Mentoring provides emotional support, feedback on how to develop, and other forms of guidance.  Consultants are typically content experts engaged to offer solutions and advice to help improve business performance.

Why should I get an Executive Coach?

How Coaching is Used at U-M/University of Michigan:

  • Skill/current focused
  • Development/future focused
  • Transition coaching

Top 5 Requested Skill Development: 

  • Communication skills
  • Developing other leaders
  • Team dynamics
  • Strategic planning
  • Working with staff/faculty