There seems to be an explosion in executive coaching recently. Does it really work?
— Steve Mostyn, Edinburgh, Scotland Generally, yes. The value, of course, depends on the quality of the coach. This is a field where there is no specific training and certainly no form of accreditation. And there are some charlatans out there who simply tell you what you want to hear or don’t have much feel for leadership, having never done it themselves. They’re useless. Good executive coaches can provide a truly important service, however. They can look you in the eye and tell you what no one else will, especially if you’re the boss. You don’t listen carefully enough. You’re too much of a loner. You kiss up to the board but too often bully your people. You rely too much on the advice of one employee who really isn’t very smart. Or any number of other unpleasant messages like that. The challenge is for you to listen. Because at the end of the day, the ultimate value of executive coaching, done right, is only as big or small as your ability to hear it. Jack and Suzy Welch are co-autho
