5 Surprising Benefits of Executive Coaching 

Most executives are well versed in the commonly known benefits of an executive  or e coach — improved work-life balance, stress management, and having more accountability. But beyond these widely recognized benefits, executive coaching offers a number of surprising advantages that are often overlooked.

For instance, in my eight years as a coach, I have heard multiple executives express desires for clearer agreements. For more collaboration. For better interpersonal communication. For more self-awareness. For more balance across your many roles.

I can help get you there, and offer even more. Here are just some of the untapped benefits of executive coaching that might just revolutionize your perspective on leadership development.
 

1. Better prioritization skills

What does it mean to have prioritization skills? I think of it as the ability to fully own our contributions, know what the next best step is, and be able to say “no” with confidence.

This is an often undervalued executive skill, and with the right business coach, you can learn how to strengthen your delegation muscles and feel content with your level of contributions (but actually). Being able to model healthy prioritization competencies can have positive downstream effects for your employees and teammates, too.

And, it has the bonus of helping you right the ship when (<— importantly, not if) your priorities go off-kilter or need to be adjusted. My clients have cited practical takeaways like a stronger understanding of how to identify and analyze tasks and goals, and the ability to better qualify the urgency of projects. It also has lead to better time management techniques so that you build better habits around avoiding multitasking (as good as it can feel at times, multitasking really doesn’t do anyone any favors).
 

2.  Increased emotional intelligence

Let’s face it: Traditional intelligence and/or technical expertise can only get you so far as a leader. What separates a good leader from a great leader is their ability to empathize sincerely with their coworkers or employees.

If you want healthy work relationships (who doesn’t?), partner with your executive coach to uplevel your emotional intelligence. By better understanding your own emotions, you will be less reactive and be able to communicate more purposefully.

Speaking of…

3. What is actually going on for you? Learn how to better describe it

Intentional self-exploration and introspection can yield dividends in a workplace, and you can crank that up a notch if you do it in partnership with a trusted guide like a business coach. After all, it isn’t only in our personal lives where messy, complicated emotions crop up.

One of my favorite ways to support executive leaders is to look closely at that ball of confusing feelings and help untangle it — and give language to it. This empowers you, as a leader, to speak more clearly to articulate your lived experiences and conflicts.

What does this mean for your business? More time for good work and less time for ruminating or replaying conversations over and over in your head. And that can be true for all of your colleagues, too.

4. Customized solutions and adjustable plans

I never offer the same training twice. And that’s because as an executive coach, I take pride in hearing the concerns and challenges facing my clients, and then customizing my approach to meet their team where they’re at.

Rather than relying on a tired playbook for any old company in any old field, I tap into my wealth of knowledge across industries; from there, I focus my trainings on strategies specific to the business needs.

And this is yet another surprising benefit of executive coaching. Since each organization comprises unique dynamics, there is a need for distinctive approaches. Executive coaches “get” this, and armed with their exterior view, can provide highly valuable, tailored solutions to support your objectives.

5. Less cognitive labor for managing change

Your to-do list is miles long, so tacking on another task of keeping yourself accountable to your growth goals can feel immediately overwhelming… and that’s even before you think through the steps, energy, and processes needed to activate the change you seek.

This shit is hard to manage. And you don’t have to do it alone.

That bears repeating: You don’t have to do it alone.

Even the most disciplined, willful executive leader needs to take a beat to acknowledge their limits from time to time. That is where I like to step in. I take the cognitive mental load of strategy and implementation off of your plate, so you can focus on other important stuff faster.

How executive coaches can help, recapped

When I take on a new client for executive coaching, I have confidence that I will help them enhance their leadership skills, improve their work-life balance, and strengthen their tenacity as a workplace presence. But my work doesn’t stop there. I also focus on coaching in the areas of emotional intelligence and self-expression, which complements training related to prioritization and follow-through.

Not all executive coaching experiences are created equal. Ideally, you’ll work with someone who will partner with you so you can focus less on managing the training and more on integrating the recommendations.

Consider Executive Coaching to Unlock Your Business Potential