Lonely at the Top? Executive coaches can help

They say it’s lonely at the top and they’re not kidding are they? Executive Coaching company HRM Coaching in London has suggestions for senior personnel who are feeling isolated

As organisations seek to stay in operation during the recession, senior personnel are experiencing more pressure than ever before. They are being told to be a good leader, be strategic and keep the lines of communication open and at the same time act as a buffer between staff and the board, the banks and all the other stakeholders who have a view on what needs to happen.

While executives are seeking to motivate their staff and keep them engaged, who’s looking out for them?

Hannah McNamara, Managing Director of HRM Coaching in London says, “It’s a difficult situation because executives very rarely have anyone to talk to at their level who won’t have a vested interest in what they are saying. Even friends and family will either want to offer their pearls of wisdom, steer them towards what they think they should do or just change the subject. At times like these, executives are tasked with keeping up appearances while knowing what’s going on behind the scenes. And that’s not just when things are tough; it’s equally important for executives to take time to consider decisions made for the good of the organisation – jump the gun and talk to the wrong person too early in the process and you risk blowing a deal, having a PR disaster on your hands or giving the gossips something to talk about. Good executive coaches are able to act not only as mentors, but as a confidential sounding-board where executives can talk through their plans in private.”

Executive coaching isn’t only about having a space to talk.

Working with an executive coach has many other benefits such as its potential for one-to-one mentoring and training in leadership and management skills. For the most senior levels, attending the same training courses as their managers just isn’t appropriate. Executive coaching sessions can be tailored to the needs of the individual and provide much needed objective feedback on performance. Topics covered in coaching sessions can include everything from leadership skills and presentation skills, to communication and personal impact training.

Executives report that they find their time with their coach enormously helpful with typical comments like “It’s my me-time. If it wasn’t for my sessions, I wouldn’t take the time to sit and really think” to “The feedback is very useful – it’s been over 15 years since I was last formally appraised. The board members rarely comment on my performance as CEO other than to nod when things are completed to plan.”

Coaching programmes can last from a few sesions to on-going working relationships with their coach spanning years. the duration of programmes depends on the objectives. For example an executive may need short-term immediate help with presentation skills before an annual conference or they may want to work on the ‘softer skills’ such as being a better communicator, negotiator or simply being in more control of their own time.

It doesn’t have to be so lonely at the top. Executive coaches are there to help.

© HRM Coaching Ltd

For more information about Executive Coaching, call Hannah McNamara at HRM Coaching Ltd on 020 7939 9910 (+44 20 7939 9910) or contact us.