What is a Business/Executive Coach?

Business coaching is a resource being used increasingly across every industry, from business owners and CEOs to high-potential graduates.

Jeff Bezos has spoken about his business coach helping him improve his communication with Amazon staff. Steve Bennett, the software entrepreneur, once said having a business coach was vital for his career development. Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, among others, have also spoken about using business coaches to help their careers.

So what is coaching, and why do the most successful people on the planet use it?

First, let me tell you what coaching isn't. Many people use 'coaching' and 'mentoring' interchangeably, but they're two very different things.

A mentor is an expert in the mentee's field, typically from the same workplace, and provides networking help and career guidance within that industry. That isn't the same as a business coach.

A business coach isn't expected to be an expert in the client's field, and doesn't need to be. A business coach provides objective guidance on the topics and areas that matter to the person they're working with.

What to expect from a business coach

• No power play: the coaching relationship doesn't have a supervisor-subordinate dynamic. The coach provides non-judgemental support on a level footing.
• Complete confidentiality: what's said in a coaching session doesn't go back to your organisation. It's a genuinely safe space to talk honestly.
• Bespoke, tailored sessions: a good coach treats you as an individual, shaped by your own unique experiences, and tailors the work accordingly.
• You're the client, not your organisation: the time is yours, without an organisational agenda attached.
• A personal soundboard: an active listener who isn't your manager, colleague, relative or partner.
• Accountability: goal-setting is a skill, and coaching helps people reach goals more effectively.
• Building resilience: coaching has been shown to increase resilience, with knock-on benefits for wellbeing and working relationships.

If you're ready to make progress towards your career goals, a business coach could be the answer.