WHAT’S BEHIND A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY EXECUTIVE?
Behind every successful company executive is… well, it just could be an insecure and vulnerable company executive.
Things aren’t always as they seem. Surprising as it is, many men and women in senior positions feel insecure about their areas of responsibility. The reality is that many have very little confidence in themselves, despite creating an aura of competence and ability.
One of the key issues is that they don’t feel equipped to deal with everything that is being asked of them.
Recent research into executive coaching showed that the areas that crop up most frequently in coach/client interactions are mainly in the area of conflict resolution, relationships, managing stress, motivating other people and personal and work fulfillment. All of these aspects are crucial in how an executive performs at work – particularly in today’s fast-paced, complex, challenging and stressful work environment. Equally important is getting these aspects right when it comes to finding a work/life equilibrium.
Some interesting trends emerged from an Australian study into corporate coaching. Of the 1000 coaches interviewed for the study, 100% said that they had discussed the topic of conflict management and motivating staff with their clients, and 86% had been asked to cover relationships, particularly the balance between work and home life. The other side of the coin was that the topic of operational management only came up occasionally according to 63% of the sample and that financial management of the business was a topic that was never or very rarely discussed, said 87% of the sample.
These results show some very interesting observations. It would seem that the majority of executives are looking for tools and techniques for managing themselves and people better. They may be succeeding in business, but they’re not quite as successful when it comes to interacting with others – in the workplace and in their personal environments.
It’s often said that management has far more to do with relationships and emotional intelligence than it does with aptitude or technical skills. With studies showing that employees use less than half of their potential, surely it makes sense (and cents) to boost their potential, thereby increase productivity and hence profits? With research indicating that productivity levels of employees is languishing at around forty per cent, it goes without saying that boosting their productivity would boost profitability?. It may be that by improving the ‘softer’ skills of management, ie their people and relationship skills, the productivity and value would improve.
Up to 40% of Fortune 500 organisations are said to invest in coaching with annual spend on the industry estimated to be around a billion dollars in the US. The Economist reports that the business and executive coaching industry is growing at around 40% per annum, and is reaching into all industries.
An executive coach won’t teach someone how to do their job – but they will teach them to be better at what they do. There’s little doubt that improved interpersonal skills, improved communication skills, better personal organisation, motivation, clarity on personal and professional goals and challenges, reduced stress and a stronger personal foundation can vastly improve an executive’s performance. All it takes to bring out the best (in themselves and their staff) is a little help…. from their coach.
