An executive coaching engagement can take a leader on a transformative journey, providing opportunities for growth, self-reflection and enhancing their effectiveness. However, there are times when executive coaches encounter behaviors or situations that raise questions about a client’s leadership capabilities.
These experiences present unique challenges, demanding careful navigation and a delicate balance between support and constructive feedback. Below, 18 Forbes Coaches Council members draw upon experiences they’ve had in their executive coaching practices to explore instances that made them question a client’s leadership and how they handled these concerns.
18. Commenting On Their Team’s Lack Of Capabilities
One executive I worked with continually commented on his entire executive team’s (lack of) capabilities. From his perspective, he was farther along in the leadership journey and well beyond what they knew or were doing. Since he was the “expert,” I leaned into the conversation and asked questions to unpack his observations and insights. In essence, I guided him toward awareness.- Kristy Busija, Next Conversation Coaching, LLC