Typically, clients come into executive coaching to become more effective by addressing the challenges or issues that are limiting their success. I help my clients address those underlying factors that prevent them from reaching their full potential and to play to their strengths. Clients tend to enter executive coaching through three different routes:
self-initiated route
CEOs and those near the top of their organizations, who may have few peers in whom to confide, may be seeking an external, confidential ‘thought partner’. Other senior leaders can be facing a particularly challenging period or strategic organizational task and feel that coaching will help them perform at their best. Some struggle with anxiety, overload and stress of various kinds at work and look to coaching to help them learn to cope more effectively.
offered or proposed route
Many leaders and high performers, however, do not initiate coaching. Instead, it’s offered or proposed to them by their boss or the HR professionals within their organization. This happens for different reasons. Often the individual is being prepared for a more senior role. They may be in line for succession to a key post or about to take charge of a particularly critical area or project. Others enter coaching to improve their skills and effectiveness in areas such as people management, influencing, communication, handling conflict, delegation and work/life balance. Sometimes coaching is simply a vote of confidence, showing that the organization sees them as high-potential and is keen to invest in their development.
sent for route
Some leaders are sent for coaching by their organization in order to address one or more particular issues, for example, to help leaders manage their moods and behaviours and improve their management style. Executive coaching may then be a fruitful way to seek to enable change and development in a managers performance and to retain an otherwise talented and high-performing leader. In turn, this may provide significant cost savings compared to expensive termination contracts and costly search processes for finding and hiring a new leader.
what clients say about me
Working with Patrik made me realize that I needed to acknowledge myself as a skilful leader. Prior to working with Patrik, I had found it very difficult to see and embrace my capability as a leader. Instead, I had “excused” myself for my successes, gotten stuck in denying my ability, and therefore attributing my success to external circumstances and the contributions and influences of other people. Patrik made me see myself as the true leader I am, and to internalize this. And for that, I am eternally grateful to him!”
– Director, international news corporation
Fantastic Executive Coach, really positive first time experience – thank you!”
– Group Legal Counsel, global pharmaceuticals company
My sessions with Patrik were extremely useful. I started these sessions at a moment when I was going through a really rough period, something like an emotional roller coaster, caused by problems in my personal life. Patrik guided me toward looking into the causes of these issues, and finding practical solutions that work for me. It doesn’t even feel enough to say thank you. At the end of each session, I felt like I could breath better. I would really like to continue having sessions with Patrik, if my company decides to extend this program.”
– Vice President, global manufacturing company
If it hadn’t been for Patrik and my CEO, I had left the company. I’m grateful to both that I didn’t.”
Principal R&D scientist, life sciences
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