www.ceotodaymagazine.com CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2023 29 What does this award mean to you? In my 22 years of being an executive coach I have been fortunate to have been recognised for my approach and impact a number of times. I was inducted into the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council a number of years ago, and have been recognised as being one of the ‘Top 100 Globally’ by CEO Today before. But this most recent award from such a reputable source and voted for by an audience that I serve means so much. It is confirmation that what I do makes a significant difference at such a high level. What is your personal philosophy when it comes to coaching highperforming executives? It is all about creating a productive partnership with my client – understanding why they are looking to partner with me and, importantly, why now. I work hard to understand and respect the executive’s brilliance and experience, and where they see their own limitations and developmental areas. One of the questions I always ask is: “What do you need from me that you cannot do for yourself?” I am looking for coachability within my clients, executives that I know I can partner with and add value to. There is a DNA to a successful exec which for me includes the ability to accurately analyse their own performance, along with a relentless thirst to be even better. I never cut corners with this initial understanding and contracting. Getting agreement and alignment from the off enables focussed, pragmatic and challenging conversations of real value to the exec. An experienced executive coach knows when to inject their experience, advice and wisdom and when to persist with acute and challenging questions to work the execs’ cognitive muscles. The balance between sharing and questioning is of paramount importance – no executive pays me to just ask questions and switch off my experience! I am paid to improve thinking, full stop. How do you ensure that your coaching is tailored to each unique client? It is the contracting that sets the pattern and the approach. Some executives will connect with me every six weeks, while others will call more ad-hoc… sort of an emergency service! Ten executives every year are offered an annual contract with me, benefitting from the regularity of connection. I see them every month throughout the year and they also have the option of calling on me throughout the month. There is a DNA to a successful exec which for me includes the ability to accurately analyse their own performance, along with a relentless thirst to be even better.
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