The Metamorphosis of the Successful Executive . . . Overcoming Professional Stagnation
You're a bright, successful business executive making good money and managing a capable staff of accomplished professionals. You are successful beyond your wildest business school dreams. You've achieved much-yet something's missing. On the surface, life is good-yet you feel tired, drained, frustrated, defeated. Intuitively, you know your life can and should be more fulfilling.
Where do you turn? What can you do?
Four years ago, I reached a point in my career as a clinical psychologist where I, too, was unwilling to put up with any more professional "pain" and stagnation. I wanted more for my life and I knew I could have more. That's when I teamed up with a personal coach and began my own career transition to the relatively new profession of "Personal Coaching" . . . and I've never looked back.
Working with a personal coach provided me the direction and support I needed to reinvigorate my own life and change my career-to recapture my voice, my sense of purpose, my sense of direction. It's something you can have, too. Here's how.
With personal coaching, frustrated executives get back on track, re-energized, and are better able to positively influence their company and their peers. Working with a coach unhappy executives learn to set limits, to establish boundaries and to delegate. They become clearer in their goals and better able to communicate their values. They develop actionable strategies to improve their listening and interpersonal skills. They begin to make things happen, to set the pace for their own lives at work and at home, and-most importantly-they begin to eliminate stress.
A 2001 quantitative study of 100 executives, mostly from Fortune 1000 companies, places the return on investment for executive coaching at nearly 6 to 1. The study, conducted by Manchester Inc. (a globally-recognized provider of executive coaching services), also revealed that coaching increases organizational strength, productivity, quality, customer service, shareholder value, and executive retention.
The question you must ask is "Can I afford not to work with a coach?"
Working with a personal coach you can become a better manager-better able to lead and inspire your teams. You create an improved workplace environment where risk-taking and innovation is encouraged. Your employees become loyal, productive and more satisfied. Recruitment efforts take off. Customer relations and service improves. Your customer base grows. Profits grow, too.
Coaching doesn't work for everyone. For people who procrastinate, who are not willing to do the work, or who view coaching as "touchy feely" or frivolous, coaching won't be successful.
A coach is not a consultant. He or she does not have the answers-the person being coached does. A coach asks the big questions, provides feedback, offers support and constantly challenges the client to reach further - sometimes well beyond the client's current vision. The coach helps the client reduce stress, integrate self-care (exercise and healthy habits) into their lives, and make time for what is important. A coach can also provide resources and tools to help the client stay focused and achieve their goals.
Coaching relationships can be short- or long-term experiences, often ranging from three to six months to a year or more. Most often, individuals work with coaches by phone or in-person for a specified number of sessions per month. Coaching can also take place in groups, through teleclasses, and even in seminar or workshops settings.
Working with a coach is a highly personal experience, so finding the right coach-someone with whom you feel comfortable-is critical for success. The coaching industry estimates that there are more than 20,000 coaches-personal coaches, business coaches, marketing coaches, etc.-in the United States alone (and perhaps as many as 100,000 worldwide). When seeking a coach you should plan to interview several candidates at a minimum to find a good match.
With the right coach and a personal willingness to try new things, to experiment and to make and learn from your mistakes, you can turn achievement and success into something more. Working with a coach, you can look challenge squarely in the eye, face emotional hurdles at work and at home, and overcome them-embracing life's "adventure" as you intuitively sense more rewarding opportunities ahead.
(c) 2004, Steven Bacharach Psy.D. All rights in all media reserved. This article may be reprinted so long as it is kept intact with the copyright and by-line.
Steven Bacharach, Psy.D. is a personal coach to executives who are seeking more fulfillment in all areas of their life. To learn more about coaching and arrange a complimentary session, contact Steven Bacharach Psy.D. by email at stevenb@onthemarconsulting.com, by phone at (508) 358-9565, or visit his Web site at http://www.onthemarconsulting.com
 Google News Updated : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:55:12 GMT Obama and Clinton, Together Again - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Jonathan Weisman BUTTE, Mont. -- Putting their money where their mouths are, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton will appear together three times over two days next week, raising money for each other and further advancing the Democratic cause of ... Obama and Clinton Will Raise Funds Together Next Week in NYC Obama, Clinton to hold joint fundraisers in NY Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:26:50 GMT European Bonds Post Fourth Weekly Gain on Interest Rate Outlook - Bloomberg Bloomberg - By Anchalee Worrachate July 5 (Bloomberg) -- European two-year government notes rose for a fourth week, the longest winning streak since February, as traders pared bets policy makers will lift interest rates again this year after raising them two days ... Fighting Inflation, Europeans Raise Rate Bernanke's French Lesson Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:22:39 GMT African Union Weakened by Summit Inaction on Zimbabwe - Voice of America
Voice of America - By Peter Heinlein The African Union's reputation suffered a setback during the past week when its leaders faltered in the face of Robert Mugabe's blunt challenge to democratic norms in Zimbabwe. Q&A: Zimbabwe's disputed election Recognise me as Zimbabwe president or no talks: Mugabe Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:02:07 GMT Study suggests serotonin plays a role in SIDS - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Mice who overproduced the brain chemical showed symptoms similar to those of the infant syndrome before they died. By Wendy Hansen, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Mice genetically engineered to overproduce the brain chemical serotonin died at an early ... SIDS Linked to Brain Chemical Dysfunction Chance discovery points to crib death cause Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:03:56 GMT Barack Obama now wears his patriotism on his lapel - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Jae C. Hong / AP FLAG-WAVER: Sen. Barack Obama and daughter Sasha are onlookers at an Independence Day parade in Butte, Mont. Tired of having his patriotism questioned, the Democratic candidate has made Old Glory a major visual element of his campaign. In Montana, Obama Tries to Rally Support on Iraq In Montana on the Fourth, a Barometer of Obama's Chances Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:25:05 GMT Target: Barack Obama. Strategy: What Day Is It? - New York Times
New York Times - By PATRICK HEALY Despite a three-month head start, Senator John McCain has struggled to solidify lines of attack against Senator Barack Obama for the general election, Republican operatives say and some of his own advisers acknowledge, running into ... US candidates practise their U-turns Obama Predicts Political ‘Realignment,’ Tries to Put Montana in Play Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:37:50 GMT 2 fires still raging along Calif.'s Central Coast - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) - Cool, damp weather early Saturday helped crews gain ground on the huge wildfire that wiped out this coastal retreat's holiday tourist trade, allowing some personnel and gear to be shifted to a growing blaze farther south Nearly ... Video: Wind Keeps California Wildfires Raging Gov. sending in troops to fight Cal wildfires Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:01:11 GMT Website Traffic Promotion |
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