A successful executive leadership coach is the most powerful of all coaches. The reason is obvious. Whether the president of the United States or of large multinational corporation, executives are powerful people backed by the resources of large organizations. When these executives act in their leadership role, they inspire and put into action hundreds, if not thousands, of people; people who are focused on the accomplishment of objectives determined by the executive. And since the executive coach helps the executive focus, organize and act, the coach’s influence is leveraged through the executive, just as the executive’s power is leveraged through the people that they lead.

First, Be a Great Coach

Understanding coaching fundamentals is absolutely critical. The coach must be master the principles of accountability, strategy and assessment coaching. They must be able to create core transformations , and hold strong-willed executives accountable without being the first to blink.

Next, Understand the Business of the Executive

While there are many common elements faced by every executive and every executive leadership coach, the fact is that sharing in the specialized knowledge of a particular executive’s business is required to be of the greatest service to the executive. Without this knowledge and the insights that come with it, the coach is not in a position to understand the implications of decisions which the executive will make.

The Biggest Secret for the Executive Leadership Coach

Each executive leadership coach must understand leadership principles to be a success. For example, the leadership coach must understand that it all begins with the vision cast by the executive. Then that vision must be communicated in a way that excites the followers, but if their support is to last, it is critical to communicate how achieving the vision will address the four fundamental needs of each of the followers. In other words, when the hype wears off, the followers must understand that achieving the executive’s vision, will also meet their fundamental needs, as individuals. Finally, the coach must help the executive walk their own talk. Without this, their followers will soon see the executive as a hypocrite. But with it, the leader’s support is virtually guaranteed, as is the success of the coach’s executive leadership coaching.

Dave Iuppa
JTS Advisors Strategy and Accountability Coach