Have you been wondering what an executive or leadership coach is? Maybe someone has gotten your curiosity sparked about the work they are doing with their coach. Or perhaps your management has suggested you work with a coach, which might have you concerned. You should know that a lot of companies invest in coaching for their rising leaders, not because there is a performance issue, but because they believe that those team members are valuable and they want to provide every opportunity for their continued success.

Let's look at what coaching is and what kinds of things a coach can help with:

What is executive or leadership coaching?

Coaching is a professional relationship between an executive or manager and a trained coach who serves a client in achieving his/her objectives through active listening, facilitation of change processes, development of personal action plans, and goal setting. The executive coach does not take on the role of mentor or therapist but guides and consults the client on how to set goals that are obtainable and measurable by using processes such as change mapping, brainstorming ways to approach something, identifying pros and cons to a decision, setting priorities and goals and creating plans to achieve them.

If you're unsure where to start, here are some ideas of what to work on with a coach, but it's definitely not exhaustive. Take a look at all of the ways listed below and let them spark your own ideas for how your coach could support you:

Getting started or getting unstuck

A coach can help you identify exactly what's holding you back from making progress towards your goals. So if you're feeling stuck, a good place for a coaching conversation is to define what's been stopping you so far and the ideas you have for moving forward.

Having difficult conversations

Sometimes it's hard to know how to bring up a difficult topic, or how to handle it when a tense or awkward conversation happens. With a coach, you can practice ways to approach these situations, and ways to have productive discussions. Coaching is a convenient way to test out messages for dealing with people before you dive into that conversation.

A new opportunity – going for it!

Are there opportunities that you're not sure how to go after? Maybe you've seen a new position, but it's not clear how to go after it. Or there are people that you want to talk with about what is possible but don't know what the next step would be. A coach can help guide you on how to move forward.

Deciding if it's time for change

A savvy leadership coach can help you work through the pros and cons of your situation, and help you to make a decision based on your own personal goals and career aspirations. Sometimes it's the best move to leave your current situation or job, but oftentimes there are many more options for you to find happiness, fulfillment, growth, and compensation right where you are.

How to say no, professionally and effectively

Trying to please everyone can be a drain, both physically and mentally! There are ways to start saying 'no' that feel good and still honor others. Your coach can provide sound advice and help you refine ways of navigating these situations with ease. Standing up to others isn't always easy, but it's necessary. People will respect you more when you do, which can lead to greater leadership opportunities and growth for your future.

Setting goals and sticking with them

Setting measurable goals and getting help to determine ways you can achieve them is a perfect way to leverage coaching. Once you set the goal, a coach can be your accountability buddy to ensure that you stick with those new habits or behaviors until they become engrained.

Dealing with difficult people

Having even a bit of trouble with a situation at work? Or maybe you just need some advice on how to handle an issue with your team or a coworker? A coach will listen, and perhaps give examples based on other people's experience with similar problems, and work with you until you reach a resolution.

Challenging yourself to grow in new ways

Working with a coach can help you move forward faster and more efficiently than you could by yourself. They help you create the space to think things through and prompt you to think about doing things in new ways.

If you're stuck, frustrated, or feel like you're failing at something - why not try coaching? If what you need is accountability, someone to bounce ideas off of, reassurance of your actions, or a push in a new direction that nobody else has noticed yet - then a coach might be exactly what you need.