can be a great opportunity.  People in upper management need leadership training and coaching as much as anyone else.  The most intimidating client in an executive coaching practice would be the CFO or comptroller.  The most common profile of a CFO lacks the interpersonal skills to relate to coaches and others, and will tend to undervalue people in general.  But with a few leadership training and coaching tips, you will be able to really make an impact in these people’s lives without getting burned.

Executive Coaching Can Keep Leaders on Target

Leadership Training and Coaching Tip #1 – These people usually go after a goal intensely, then suddenly stop and change their mind.  The executive coaching solution is to help them make a decision to act on a goal, and then stick with their commitment to stay on track with that goal no matter what happens.

Help Executives Work on their Relationships with Leadership Training and Coaching

Leadership Training and Coaching Tip #2 – Another common challenge for these people is that they tend to undervalue people, and may even treat them like problems.  The executive coaching solution is to help them set up principles to manage their relationships.  They will need constant work on their relationships.  Another solution is to find an assistant who will help them moderate communications with others.

Moody Managers Can Be Relieved with Proper Executive Coaching

Leadership Training and Coaching Tip #3 – The most common challenge for these people is that they tend to be moody.  A “Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde” type of moody.  They can swing from angry to fearful and back again before the dust even settles.  They can easily get into a slump.  The executive coaching solution for them is to appeal to their natural dominant style and challenge them to get a result.  Bring out their competitive spirit.  Reverse psychology can also be useful here.  These people often do better with trying to avoid a negative consequence than focusing on a positive one.

Leadership Training and Coaching Benefits Everyone Involved

It’s clear to see that CFO’s can benefit from executive coaching as much as anyone, even if they appear as though they don’t need it.  With these leadership training and coaching tips, you will be able to navigate away from the major pitfalls when coaching these clients.